E-sports: Third chance for RSG SG to win Mobile Legends Pro League title S’pore

SINGAPORE – After losing runners-up to Evos SG for the first two editions of local competition, Mobile Legends Professional League Singapore (MPL SG), RSG SG got their third chance on Sunday, May 1.

RSG SG got their revenge in the grand final of the competition’s third season, coming back from a loss in the opener to register a 4-1 victory in the best-of-seven series.

The finale, which was temporarily interrupted several times, was watched by a crowd of around 200 at the GR.iD shopping centre, located along Selegie Road. It started just after 4 p.m. and ended only about seven hours later.

Each Mobile Legends match usually lasts around 20 minutes. Organizers said the shutdowns were due to “server issues”.

But despite the hiccups, the RSG SG kept their composure to claim victory and its members were still visibly emotional when they spoke to the Straits Times after the win.

Bellamy “Lolsie” Yeo, 24, said, “It means so much to us. We spent many nights working with our coach to make sure we were ready for this tournament. To be honest, it’s been a year of preparation.

“We are all moved because we have finally seen the fruits of what we have worked so hard for. We will not become complacent and in fact, we will only get better.

When asked if the disruptions had affected his team, Yeo said: “We were constantly reminding ourselves to stay focused. Our manager also offered us energy drinks which was really helpful.

This is the third consecutive final that the two teams have played.

Season 1 and 2 of MPL SG which took place last May and October respectively were won by Evos SG. But in finally breaking their duck, RSG SG pocketed the winners check for US$30,000 (S$41,496). Finalists received US$15,000.

MPL Singapore, which has a prize pool of up to $100,000, is presented by PVP Esports from Singtel and game developer Moonton.

Evos SG’s defeat in this final was all the more surprising as they will be representing Singapore at the SEA Games Esports event from May 12-23 in Hanoi.

RSG SG’s Yeo Wee “Diablo” Lun said his team had emotionally shown that they too have the caliber to represent Singapore.

The 23-year-old said: “We wanted to prove to people that they (Evos SG) are not the only ones capable of representing Singapore in regional tournaments. We have always been a step behind them but I am so proud of my team for being able to do it today.

For reaching the MPL Singapore Season 3 Grand Final, which saw seven teams compete, Evos SG and RSG SG both secured a place in the game’s regional title tournament – the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup 2022 – in June. The top four teams from this competition will then qualify for the World Championship.