New kings have emerged in Malaysia.
HomeBois overcame Team SMG in a grueling grand final to rule the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Malaysia Season 12 (MPL MY Season 12) to book their ticket to the M5 World Championship.
This is their first MPL MY title since joining the league in Season 7. They also seized a spot in the ONE Esports MPL Invitational 2023 and the US$25,000 lion’s share of the $US100,0000 prize pool.
Meanwhile, SMG earned a slot in the M5 Wild Card tournament, and the runner-up prize of US$12,000.
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HomeBois beat Team SMG, 4-3, in thrilling MPL MY Season 12 grand final
HomeBois finished third in the regular season, and needed to prevail against last season’s winner Team HAQ in the second round to start their playoff campaign.
They defeated top seed RSG Malaysia, 2-1, in the upper bracket semifinals, then swept Selangor Red Giants, 3-0, to snag the first seat in the grand final.
In the first game of the title series, HomeBois made a miraculous comeback from a 7,000-gold deficit. Mohammad “Xorn” Noor’s Khufra caught Team SMG’s Yu Zhong in the bush before Wahyu “RAIZEL” Saputra on Bruno killed him with just three hits, securing the Evolved Lord that helped them win the opener in 19 minutes.
They then cruised to a second consecutive triumph on the back of brilliant initiations by XORN using his signature tank Chou.
Team SMG retaliated in the third game, leaning on the Karrie of Lu “Sasa” Khai Bean, who posted a positive 3/1/9 KDA in the 17-minute win.
SMG almost equalized the series in the next game, wiping out HomeBois at the 19-minute mark. However, HB took the Lord in the previous fight, which bought enough time for their four members to respawn to make a gutsy base defense.
Despite the deflating loss, SMG refused to go silent, and sent the series to a winner-take-all game 7 on the backs of Filipino jungler Kenneth “Saxa” Fedelin on Joy and Sasa on Beatrix.
In the final game, HomeBois regained their composure, opening with a strong start led by Muhammad Nazhan “Chibi” Mohd Nor’s Martis. Sustaining their momentum, HB secured the second Lord and used it to seal the title with a 13-minute victory.
For his stellar performance, star roamer XORN was named Playoffs MVP.
HomeBois will make their world championship debut when they compete in the upcoming M5 set in the Philippines in December.
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