Malaysian teams struggled to make an immediate impact at the MPL Invitational 4 Nation Cup (MPLI), which kicked off last Friday.
Also participated by teams from Indonesia, Singapore and Myanmar, it was supposedly not only a battle for the US$100,000 prize pool at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) tournament but also an opportunity for the Malaysians to claim regional bragging rights.
However, it was Indonesia who set the standard at the end of the first qualifying round on Sunday, leading all qualifying groups.
Indonesia's Onic Esports swept aside Malaysian representatives SMG and Todak 2-0 respectively on Friday to take charge of Group A.
SMG also fell to a 0-2 defeat to Indonesian side Aurafire, placing them at the bottom of the group.
In Group B, Malaysia's Bosskurr got off to a losing start as they were beaten 0-2 by EVOS SG, but they bounced back against Singapore's Notorious Villains and won 2-1 to keep their qualifying chances alive.
In Group C, Indonesia's Bigetron Esports topped the group ahead of national compatriots Genflix Aerowolf and Geek Fam ID, with Singapore's Siren Clan picking up a win to remain in the running to reach the play-offs.
Meanwhile, MPL Malaysia and Singapore (MPL-MY/SG) runners-up Geek Fam, Malaysia's only team to directly qualify for the play-offs, also had an unsuccessful outing after losing 1-2 to Indonesia's EVOS Legends in a battle to determine Upper and Lower Bracket placements.
The qualifying action continues from June 26 to 28, live on eGG Network and Astro Arena in Malaysia, while the play-off round is scheduled to commence on July 3.
Seng Foo Lee
Mon Jun 22 2020
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