SIBOL MLBB men rout Indonesia, advance to SEA Games gold medal match

The home team is now just one series away from ruling the region for the fourth time again.

Displaying trademark dominance, the Sibol Men’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team cruised into a dominating 3-1 dispatch against Indonesia to book their tournament grand finals ticket at the 33rd SEA Games held at Sala Phra Kieo, Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand, Dec. 15.

Team Sibol, represented by MSC and back-to-back MPL Philippines champion Team Liquid PH, is now on the cusp of clinching its fourth SEA Games gold medal since MLBB’s debut in the regional meet at the 30th SEA Games in 2019.

Failing to find early tempo, Indonesia opened the series in fierce fashion, as they claimed a lopsided opener versus the Philippines, highlighted by a clean five-man wipeout to secure Game 1, 0-1.

Unwilling to bow, Sibol quickly regrouped behind Alston “Chef Sanji” Pabico’s signature Pharsa that bannered an unscratched 5/0/8 KDA to level the series at 1-all.

Maintaining their found wind, the Sibol flexed their vintage playstyle as they leaned on superior macro-play and team coordination to inch a game closer towards the finals, 2-1.

The Philippines then proceeded on to smooth sail towards the close-out duel as Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya picked his classic Lapu-Lapu pick that flashed a 3/1/7 KDA to punch their spot in the gold medal match.

The Philippines will face a familiar foe; the Selangor Red Giants OG Esports represented Malaysia in the gold medal match at the same venue on Dec. 17.