Team Liquid PH books grand finals seat, secures M7 berth after dispatching TNC

Team Liquid PH books grand finals seat, secures M7 berth after dispatching TNC

PASAY — The Cavalry is now on their course to conquering another title.

The defending national champions clinched the last slot in the MPL Philippines Season 16 grand finals after a 4–1 victory over TNC Pro Team in the lower bracket finals on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

With the win, Team Liquid also sealed their spot in the M7 World Championship this January, joining fellow grand finalists Aurora Gaming as the two Philippine representatives.

Cavalry overwhelms Phoenix Army

Team Liquid opened the series with a commanding Game 1 win in just under 15 minutes. Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya’s Lapu-Lapu spearheaded the charge with a 2/1/7 KDA as the Cavalry only surrendered one turret. Kiel “Oheb” Soriano followed up with a clean 5/1/2 showing on the Harith.

TNC answered back in Game 2 with a composed 20-minute win, 16–7 in kills. Justine “Zaida” Palma’s Fanny wreaked havoc across the map with five kills and two assists as the Phoenix Army evened the series.

However, Team Liquid shifted into high gear from there, dominating the next three games to close out the series.

Sanford once again proved unstoppable in Game 3 with a 3/2/7 performance on Arlott, highlighted by a four-man Final Slash in the closing minutes.

Veteran roamer Jaypee “Jaypee” dela Cruz then took over in Game 4, registering two kills and 12 assists without a death as the Cavalry dismantled TNC in under 15 minutes. Despite Lance “LanceCy” Cunanan getting his comfort Lunox, TNC had no answers for Sanford’s Lapu-Lapu and Oheb’s Granger as Team Liquid went up 3–1.

Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno’s signature Lancelot sealed the series with a clinical Game 5 performance, posting a 5/2/4 KDA in another 15-minute finish to complete the 4–1 triumph.

Eyes on a fourth MPL crown

This marks Team Liquid’s fifth grand finals appearance, including those under the ECHO and Liquid ECHO banners. They are also aiming for their fourth MPL Philippines title in six seasons, a feat no one as ever done in MPL PH.

For TNC Pro Team, the playoff run ended with their best finish since Season 9, securing third place and a minimum of US$10,000 in prize money on top of their regular season earnings.

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Drew Malihan

Drew sucks at FPS games but loves watching PUBG and VALORANT. He found his way into esports through MLBB and HOK, and will die on the hill that Football Manager and even Excel deserve to be esports titles—despite not being good at any of them.

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