MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados Hotshots reigned supreme in the PBA Esports Bakbakan Season 2, sweeping Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the best-of-three grand finals on Tuesday night at the Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati.
The Hotshots dominated Game 1 before pulling off a stellar come-from-behind win in Game 2 to complete an undefeated run all the way from the 12-team elimination rounds and the 300-team qualifiers.
Dex Mhalon 'Gohan' Dignadice was named the Grand Finals MVP after his masterclass on heroes Medusa and Morphling as Magnolia became the newest PBA Esports kings after Converge ruled the inaugural edition last year.
"Sobrang saya po na nag-champion kami. Siguro po, naging susi lang dito 'yung teamwork po namin. Sama-sama po kami sa training na may disiplina at work ethic," said Gohan.
"Sa Game 2 po, naghanap lang kami ng paraan kung paano makakuha ng mapa at objectives kaya naka-comeback kami kahit slow start."
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Magnolia did, erasing a 0-6 kill count start and 0-2 tower tally in the extended Game 2.
Behind Gohan's Morphling that registered 14 kills, three deaths and 11 assists (KDA), the Hotshots slowly but surely flipped the game until conquering Rain or Shine's base at the 47-minute mark with a close score of 31-28.
Gohan also played flawless in Game 1 with his Medusa tallying 6-0-4 (KDA) as Magnolia made short work of Rain or Shine, 17-9, in 28 only 27 minutes of play.
Magnolia took home the P250,000 grand prize while Rain or Shine won P150,000 as runner-up finisher.
Meanwhile, Northport beat Blackwater, 37-9, in only 30 minutes of action to capture the bronze medal and P100,000.
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More than the prizes and recognitions though, PBA Esports and Dark League Studios were thrilled with the overall success of yet another Esports tourney that kept on bridging the gap from the traditional esports in today's digital age.
"The vision of PBA commissioner Willie Marcial was to create a program to bridge the younger generation and build this kind of community. It's a dream come true for us in the PBA Esports community," said AC Valdenor, co-founder and CEO of Dark League Studios, who was joined by PBA marketing director Jo Francisco in the awarding ceremony. (JBU)
