The Super Family faces nemesis Aurora Gaming next, while Team Falcons PH clash with top-seed Team Liquid PH in a blockbuster upper-bracket semifinal showdown in MPL-PH Season 15.
Just when it looked like the reigning champs might fall on Day 1, ONIC Philippines called on the king of the jungle to keep their defense alive.
Cyril “K1NGKONG” Perez delivered a near-perfect performance in the decider as ONIC PH fended off a massive comeback attempt by Twisted Minds, 3–2.
On the other hand, Team Falcons PH outlasted TNC in a separate five-game thriller as both teams advanced to the upper bracket semifinals of the MPL Philippines Season 15 Playoffs.
The Super Family saw their early 2–0 series lead vanish after Twisted Minds clawed their way back into the match, but K1NGKONG took control in Game 5 with a masterclass Lancelot showing.
He finished with a 4-1-4 KDA in ONIC’s 11-5 win, closing the match in just under 12 minutes and ensuring the defending world champions remained in the title hunt.
“’Naging totoo lang sila sa binuo nilang strategy sa nakaraang tatlong linggo. Maganda ang naging execution nila. Very happy ako na na pull-off pa rin ng team yung panalo,” ONIC PH head coach Anthony "YnoT" Senedrin said in the post-game press conference.
Senedrin also emphasized that Twisted Minds are “one of a kind” compared to the teams the Super Family have faced locally or even at the international level.
“Thankful ako na sila yung nakalaban namin kasi medyo kakaiba yung laro nila kumpara sa mga teams na nakalaban namin,” he added.
In the other best-of-five showdown, Team Falcons PH also had to dig deep against a resurgent TNC squad that forced a decider thanks to clutch plays from Frediemar “3MarTzy” Serafico and Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera in Game 4.
Kyle “Kyletzy” Sayson answered the call in deciding the fifth game, putting up a spotless 6-0-8 KDA on Hayabusa.
Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel executed a brilliant Diversion play on Luo Yi to catch TNC off guard for a five-man wipeout and the 16–11 series clincher.
“Kinulang talaga, pero sayang ‘yung ibang games — nalugi talaga kami sa hero,” said a disappointed TNT head coach Joseph "Imbadeejay" Astibe II after the match.
When asked what the squad could have done better in the thrilling series, Astibe noted, “Malaking factor talaga ‘yung draft. Sa unang dalawang laro, kaya one-sided talagang hirap kami dahil sa heroes.”
With the wins, ONIC PH arrange a must-see duel with second-seeded Aurora Gaming while Team Falcons PH battle top seed Team Liquid PH for the two spots in the upper bracket finals.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
—
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]