MPL ID S18: NAVI beat RRQ Hoshi 2-1 to guarantee a top-two finish as Alter Ego sweep Geek Fam
NAVI are guaranteed a playoff bye. First place is decided on Sunday, when NAVI play Bigetron and Team Liquid ID play ONIC in the final week of MPL ID.
Natus Vincere (NAVI) have guaranteed a top-two finish in MPL Indonesia Season 18. They beat RRQ Hoshi 2-1 on Friday, 16 October, the first day of the final regular-season week, and Alter Ego kept their own top-two hopes alive with a 2-0 sweep of Geek Fam ID. The six playoff teams were already known before Week 9, so the last six matches this weekend will decide the seeding, starting with first place and the two byes into the second round of the playoffs.
Friday's results
NAVI's win took them to 12 wins and three defeats with a 25-10 game record, a win clear of Team Liquid ID. They dropped a game to RRQ Hoshi, who have already been eliminated. RRQ are on 3-12 and will miss the playoffs for a third season in a row.
Alter Ego's sweep of Geek Fam took them to 10-5 with a 22-11 game record. Geek Fam are also out and dropped to 4-11.
Standings after Friday
| Pos | Team | W-L | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAVI | 12-3 | 25-10 |
| 2 | Team Liquid ID | 11-4 | 24-11 |
| 3 | Alter Ego | 10-5 | 22-11 |
| 4 | Bigetron by Vitality | 8-6 | 17-17 |
| 5 | EVOS | 7-7 | 16-18 |
| 6 | ONIC | 6-8 | 17-18 |
| 7 | Dewa United | 5-10 | 13-23 |
| 8 | Geek Fam ID | 4-11 | 12-24 |
| 9 | RRQ Hoshi | 3-12 | 12-26 |
The race for the top two
The top two get a bye past the single-elimination first round of the playoffs and go straight into the double-elimination bracket. NAVI cannot finish below second, because Alter Ego can reach no more than 11 wins and Team Liquid ID no more than 12.
First place is decided on Sunday, 18 October. NAVI play Bigetron by Vitality at 6pm Malaysia time, and Team Liquid ID play ONIC at 9pm. If NAVI win, they finish first. If NAVI lose and Team Liquid ID win, both teams end on 12-4 and tiebreakers decide first place.
For second place, a Team Liquid ID win against ONIC settles it. If Team Liquid ID lose and Alter Ego beat EVOS earlier on Sunday (3pm Malaysia time), both teams finish 11-5 and tiebreakers decide who gets the last bye.
Seeds three to six
The other four teams start in Round 1, where third plays sixth and fourth plays fifth in best-of-five knockout matches. Bigetron, EVOS and ONIC are still sorting out their positions. Saturday's matches in Malaysia time are ONIC v Dewa United at 3pm, Bigetron v EVOS at 6pm and RRQ Hoshi v Geek Fam ID at 9pm. On Sunday, EVOS face Alter Ego and Bigetron face NAVI.
Playoffs in Surabaya
The playoffs run from 4 to 8 November at Jatim Expo in Surabaya. They start with Round 1 on 4 November, and the grand final is on 8 November. Every playoff series is best-of-five apart from the lower bracket final and grand final, which are best-of-seven. The two finalists qualify for the M8 World Championship in Turkey. The season's prize pool is IDR 4.86 billion.
Indonesia is an hour behind Malaysia, so all the weekend matches start at 3pm, 6pm or 9pm Malaysia time.
Key takeaways
- NAVI beat RRQ Hoshi 2-1 and are guaranteed a top-two finish and a playoff bye.
- Alter Ego swept Geek Fam ID 2-0 to stay in the race for second place.
- NAVI v Bigetron (6pm) and ONIC v Team Liquid ID (9pm) on Sunday 18 October decide first place.
- The playoffs are at Jatim Expo Surabaya from 4 to 8 November, and the two finalists qualify for M8.
FAQ
Who has qualified for the MPL ID Season 18 playoffs? NAVI, Team Liquid ID, Alter Ego, Bigetron by Vitality, EVOS and ONIC. Dewa United, Geek Fam ID and RRQ Hoshi are out.
Can Alter Ego still finish in the top two? Yes, if they beat EVOS on Sunday and Team Liquid ID lose to ONIC. Tiebreakers would then separate the two teams on 11-5.
When is the MPL ID Season 18 grand final? It is on 8 November at Jatim Expo in Surabaya.
Sources: MPL Indonesia official site, Dot Esports, itemgame, skor.id, Kontan