Aurora Are Back on the “God’s Menu”
Photos from MPL Philippines / Richard Esguerra
Aurora Are Back on the “God’s Menu”
MAKATI – Aurora Gaming made headlines in the global MLBB scene when they, as a debuting organization, punched their ticket to the M6 World Championship despite finishing just fourth in the regular season standings. But their lack of cohesion and international experience for some of their players cost them dearly, leading to an early exit in the Swiss stage.
Heading into Season 15, Aurora returned with no major roster shakeups—just a sharper focus. They didn’t need to reinvent themselves; they just needed to be louder. And loud they were. With a massive regular season campaign that saw them finish as the second seed, the Northern Lights looked “Thunderous” in form, shutting down critics who doubted their staying power.
Still, while some label their rise a fluke, Aurora isn’t out to convince doubters. They’re here to prove themselves right—and they’ve got the heat to back it up.
★★★★★
Aurora parted ways with fan-favorite Ben Seloe “Benthings” Maglaque after just one season, welcoming back a familiar face in Justin “Calad” Limbo as substitute-analyst. The move left Aurora with a tight five-man core for a second straight season—a high-risk, high-reward setup.
They came out swinging early, winning every series in the first half of the season. However, five of their first seven victories went to three games, showing signs of vulnerability against the likes of AP.Bren, Smart Omega, and TNC Pro Team.
Coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani’s squad hit turbulence in the latter half, dropping crucial matches to ONIC Philippines and Team Liquid PH. The latter loss cost them the top seed, but they closed strong with an emphatic 2–1 win over Team Falcons PH, securing second place. A fitting final course to a regular season feast.
Duo in “S-Class” Form
Two names stand at the heart of Aurora’s success this season: Jan Dominic “Domengkite” del Mundo and Kenneth Carl “Yue” Tadeo—a dynamic pair who turned every match into a highlight reel.
Domengkite has been nothing short of “MANIAC”, doubling his kill count from last season with 171 kills, 49 deaths, and 148 assists, up from 91/45/145. He’s found his rhythm and aggression, translating lessons from M6 into dominance on the gold lane. His Granger has become a signature pick, delivering 12 wins in 16 games with a staggering 6.92 KDA, while his undefeated 5-0 run with Karrie (posting a clean 10/5/17 stat line) shows he’s more than just a threat.
Not to be outdone, Yue has orchestrated Aurora’s tempo like a true maestro. Leading the league with 300 total assists and an average KDA of 7.65, he’s a consistent presence in every team fight. He ranks second in assists per game and per minute, and third in damage per gold.
Even without his comfort pick Cecilion as a priority in recent weeks, he remains a threat with the hero, boasting a 70% win rate and a 17/9/76 stat line. Together, Domengkite and Yue don’t just play well—they perform like an “S-Class” duo, fine-tuned and ready for the playoff spotlight.
“Get Cool” Under Pressure
As the second seed, Aurora awaits the winner of the ONIC vs. TNC matchup—both formidable in their own right. ONIC brings structure, Twisted Minds brings fire, but Aurora brings something harder to counter: chemistry.
Jonard Cedrix “Demonkite” Caranto took a step back in terms of raw stats, but that’s no indictment. Instead, it highlights Aurora’s system of shared responsibility. Still, in the playoffs, he could be the deciding factor in jungle matchups, contesting the likes of Michael “MP the King” Endino or King Cyric “K1NGKONG” Perez.
Another factor? Aurora’s endurance. They played the most games per player this season—36 in total—due to eight full three-game series, winning seven. It’s a sign of resilience, but also a test of stamina.
All In
Aurora’s critics may still be loud—but the team is louder. From nearly being written off after M6 to standing tall as a top-tier team, their journey mirrors the energy of “Thunderous.” They’ve found their voice, sharpened their identity, and now stand ready to serve their most important course yet: the playoffs.
So don’t be surprised if Aurora Gaming delivers again. They’re not just another name on the menu.
They are the God’s Menu.
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