KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Selangor Red Giants (SRG.OG) started Season 16 of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL MY) by edging last year’s runners-up Homebois 2-1 in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
SRG.OG cruised through the opening game, prompting expectations of a straightforward 2-0 victory.
However, Homebois struck back in the second game to level the tie at 1-1.
The three-time consecutive league champions eventually closed out the decider to secure the win, but were forced to concede a valuable point to their rivals.
SRG.OG’s jungler Haqqullah “Sekys” Ahmad Shahrul Zaman said Homebois caught them off guard with an unusual strategy.
“They surprised us with their pick of Hilda in the second game, and I struggled against that pick,” said the 19-year-old.
“But overall, it was a good match, and we will focus on our next match.”
The opening week delivered plenty of upsets. Monster Vicious stunned Vamos 2-0, while Untitled, formerly known as DX Soul, shocked play-offs hopefuls Aero Esports 2-0.
Team Rey defeated a revamped Todak 2-0, while CG eSports came out on top in the battle of promoted sides by beating GamesMY Kelantan 2-0.
Vamos, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a surprise 2-0 win over Homebois.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
