Finals: Jan Ang (1st Seed), Esper Dragons vs. Donovan Babiano (2nd Seed), Hangarback Abzan

Two players remain. One plane ticket to Barcelona and the last slot in the Philippine Team for this year's World Magic Cup at stake, the number one seed Jan Ang and number two seed Donovan 'Dons' Babiano prepare to cast their best spells and be called champion.

Game 1

Both players start with seven cards in hand. Jan opens the game with a Temple of Deceit. Both spend the next turns playing their second lands with no other action. Jan Thoughtseizes a DenProtector from Donovan's hand, then plays a Temple of Enlightenment. An Anafenza, the Foremost comes down for Donovan. By the time it attacked, it was Hero'sDownfalled. A post-combat Siege Rhino drained for three life.

Across the board, Jan summons Dragonlord Ojutai. Donovan on his turn started with an attack with his SiegeRhino, then follows up with a Thoughtseize to take Jan's Hero's Downfall. Jan plays Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver come his turn, and ups his loyalty to exile Anafenza, the Foremost, Fleecemane Lion and another non-creature spell from the top of the Donovan's library. An end of turn Abzan Charm drew Donovan two cards.

Another attack with the Rhino goes unblocked, and another Siege Rhino drains three! With only one land untapped for Donovan, it was an easier risk for Jan to take: to attack Dragonlord Ojutai without hexproof and hope for better cards from the top of his library after its triggered ability resolves. Post-combat, Jan also used Ashiok's second skill to animate Anafenza under his control. Both Dons' rhinos crash onto the red zone, one blocked by Anafenza and the other ready to deal four damage unopposed. Donovan attempts to close the game with a Bile Blight on the Anafenza to push lethal trampling damage, but Jan had a Silumgar's Scorn to spoil that route to victory... until a second Bile Blight resolves. Donovan takes game 1!

Donovan Babiano considering his scry. Photo by Johann Guasch

Game 2

Jan Ang again opts to play first. After seeing another set of great opening hands for the respective players, they decide to keep their first seven.

Jan plays a scry land on his turn. Donovan fires a Thoughtseize, another opportunity for the black sorcery to sculpt the opponent's hand, as it has carved its importance across formats. A Foul-Tongue Invocation goes to the bin. Intent on keeping the disruption route, Donovan casts a Duress the following turn, which met a Silumgar's Scorn.

A third-turn Ashiok immidiately mills three, but misses the creatures from the top of Donovan's library. Anafenza,the Foremost comes down as the first creature on the battlefield. Another '+2' activation from Ashiok exiles a Fleecemane Lion. Back on Donovan's turn, another mind-wrenching Thoughtseize pulls out a Crux of Fate, leaving Dragonlord Ojutai and a land on Jan's hand. An Anafenza attack followed, and a Fleecemane Lion summoning closed Donovan's turn.

Now heavily under fire, Jan put up his defenses by animating Fleecemane Lion exiled by Ashiok and by casting Dragonlord Ojutai, leaving him tapped out of mana. Donovan's attack pumped the Fleecemane lion with Anafenza's triggered ability, and both were left unblocked. Donovan presses his grip on the match with a post-combat Siege Rhino.

Jan draws then attacks with Ojutai, hitting for four and allowing him to look at the top three cards of his library. An Ashiok activation exiles 2 creatures, both Den Protectors. Jan passes the turn. Pre-combat, Jan fires a Foul-Tongue Invocation, gaining him precious life and removing an attacker. Poor Fleecemane lion was sacrificed. Attacking with the other two creatures, the +1/+1 counter from Anafenza was put on the Siege Rhino. The nightmare-woven Fleecemane Lion got on the way of Anafenza and died. A second Rhino came down.

Still looking for answers, Jan attacked again with Dragonlord Ojutai. A follow up Dig Though Time, netted him a Foul-Tongue Invocation. Tapped out of mana and every spell resolved, Jan saw the writing on the wall and promptly scooped his cards. The top two players shook hands as the champion had just been determined! Donovan Babiano completes the 2015 World Magic Cup Philippine Team! Congratulations!

The triumphant Dons Babiano. Photo by Johann Guasch

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Jan Ang

6 Creatures
4 Dragonlord Ojutai
2 Silumgar, the Drifting Death

27 Spells
4 Thoughtseize
1 Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
1 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
3 Heroes Downfall
2 Bile Blight
2 Foul Tongue Invocation
1 Ultimate Price
4 Silumgar's Scorn
2 Dissolve
2 Crux of Fate
1 Languish
4 Dig Through Time

27 Lands
4 Temple of Deceit
4 Temple of Enlightenment
4 Polluted Delta
1 Flooded Strand
4 Dismal Backwater
2 Haven of the Spirit Dragon
1 Urborg, Town of Yawgmoth
2 Caves of Koilos
3 Island
2 Swamp

15 Sideboard
3 Jace, Vryn's Prodigy / Jace, Telepath Unbound
2 Tasigur, the Golden Fang
2 Foul Tongue Invocation
2 Drown in Sorrow
1 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
1 Dragonlord's Prerogative
1 Languish
1 Perilous Vault
1 Orbs of Warding
1 Dragonlord Silumgar

Donovan Babiano

20 Creatures
4 Fleecemane Lion
4 Hangarback Walker
4 Den Protector
4 Anafenza, the Foremost
4 Siege Rhino

15 Spells
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
3 Thoughtseize
4 Dromoka's Command
2 Bile Blight
1 Ultimate Price
3 Abzan Charm

25 Lands
4 Sandsteppe Citadel
4 Windswept Heath
2 Forests
2 Plains
1 Urborg, Town of Yawgmoth
3 Llnowar Waste
3 Caves of Koilos
3 Temple of Malady
3 Temple of Silence

15 Sideboard
3 Self-Inflicted Wound
1 Ultimate Price
1 Bile Blight
1 Hero's Downfall
1 Thoughtseize
2 Duress
1 Ajani, Mentor of Heroes
1 Herald of Torment
1 Feed the Clan
1 Drown in Sorrow
1 Gather Courage
1 Evolutionary Leap