Liquid PH, ONIC PH book upper bracket finals spots after grueling five-game series vs. Falcons, Aurora
Photo from MPL Philippines / Richard Esguerra
Liquid PH, ONIC PH book upper bracket finals spots after grueling five-game series vs. Falcons, Aurora
MAKATI – ONIC Philippines and Team Liquid PH moved one step closer to securing a spot in the MLBB Mid-Season Cup and the Esports World Cup, surviving intense five-game series against Aurora Gaming and Team Falcons PH, respectively, Thursday inside the Green Sun Hotel.
ONIC stopped a potential reverse sweep from rivals Aurora Gaming, while Team Liquid PH clawed their way back from a 0-2 deficit against Falcons.
Super Fam avoids Aurora comeback
Renejay “Renejay” Barcarse’s Chip proved a menace in Game 1, leading Aurora to a 14-minute win. The teleporting support tallied two kills and four assists while disrupting ONIC’s rhythm early and controlling the map from the get-go.
ONIC bounced back in Game 2 as Frince “Super Frince” Ramirez’s Zhuxin, finally free from the ban list, posted a clean 5/0/8 KDA. Edward Jay “Edward” Dapadap had a quiet showing with his unorthodox Fredrinn EXP pick, recording three deaths and only one assist.
Game 3 saw Super Frince shine again, this time on Selena, with eight assists and a kill in a 14-minute rout. ONIC’s heavy crowd-control lineup—Phoveus, Kalea, and Fredrinn—forced Aurora into costly team fights.
Aurora answered in Game 4, winning in 17 minutes behind Renejay’s signature Chou (1/0/12) and Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo’s Kimmy (6/1/8). The two kept King Cyric “K1NGKONG” Perez’s Ling in check, setting up a decider.
In Game 5, ONIC sealed the win in the 19th minute off a well-timed Lord dance. With Aurora’s health bars halved mid-contest, ONIC’s mobile core wrapped things up. Borris “Brusko” Parro’s Chou earned MVP honors with one kill and 15 assists, sending the yellow squad to the upper bracket finals.
Cavalry rallies from 0-2 down for 3-2 win
Team Falcons PH started hot, taking Game 1 in 13 minutes. Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano’s Granger starred with seven kills and four assists, while Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo’s Mathilda added a solid 2/1/13 outing.
Michael “KyleTzy” Sayson’s Joy was the difference-maker in Game 2 with a 7/1/5 KDA, helping the Falcons claim a tight 17-minute win despite a valiant 5/2/6 effort from Kiel “Oheb” Soriano’s Harith.
With their tournament hopes on the line, Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno sparked the comeback with a 6/1/6 Hayabusa game in 15 minutes. Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel’s Selena struggled, finishing with five deaths and just two kill contributions.
Oheb kept the momentum rolling in Game 4 with a flawless 5/0/3 Harith game, forcing a decider after 22 minutes in a low-scoring 11-3 affair. Super Marco and David “FlapTzy” Canon faltered on the side lanes, combining for just one kill and six deaths.
In Game 5, Team Liquid PH’s map control and late-game scaling prevailed after 17 minutes. Oheb’s Granger shone with nine kills and four assists, outdueling Super Marco’s strong Karrie showing (9/1/2). Despite early success from Falcons’ midlane Valentina and EXP Zhuxin, their composition lacked late-game sustain. KarlTzy’s Lukas and Jaypee “Jaypee” dela Cruz’s Gatotkaca absorbed the pressure and tanked the final blows.
With the win, Team Liquid PH sets up a blockbuster upper bracket finals matchup against ONIC PH on Friday. Meanwhile, Team Falcons PH and Aurora Gaming will clash in a do-or-die lower bracket semifinals showdown.
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