Team Liquid roared to a sweep against ONIC Philippines, moving to the cusp of a spot in M7 while Aurora Gaming passed a test against TNC in MPL Philippines Season 16.
Defending champions Team Liquid stamped their class in their title defense and a chance to complete the golden road, after a resounding 3-0 sweep over ONIC Philippines in their Upper Bracket semifinals on Thursday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Team Liquid sent the reigning world champions down to the lower bracket.
Decorated jungler Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno dictated the pace for TLPH in the early goings of Game 1, when he used his comfort pick Yin Sun-Shin to a flawless 7/0/3 KDA stat line in just 14 minutes. He also had a 100% kill participation in the victory that got the Cavalry ahead early.
Then in Game 2, KarlTzy used another signature hero in Lancelot to pick off his foes Cyric “K1NGKONG” Perez and Borris “Brusko” Parro before getting a free lord in the first 10 minutes.
This opened the door for Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya to set up a final clash through the Black Dragon Form, which triggered a four-man wipeout against ONIC, cruising to a 2-0 advantage.
With their backs against the wall, ONIC was adamant to extend the series, as they dragged on Game 3 to past the 22nd minute, thanks to three lord defenses. But a crucial double kill from KarlTzy at ONIC’s base decided the series.
KarlTzy nabbed MVP in Game 3 with 5/1/5 KDA.
Aurora Gaming survived a stiff test against the TNC Pro Team as they marched on to the Upper Bracket Finals. | Photo: MPL Philippines
RORA shows cracks in test vs TNC
Red-hot Aurora Gaming, meanwhile, had to dig deep to extend their win streak to 14 games, surviving a stiff test against TNC Pro Team, 3-2, to set the match against TLPH in the Upper Bracket Finals on Friday.
After taking match point, Aurora had to recover from a tough loss in a 25-minute long Game 4, where an uncontested Lord take helped TNC storm through Aurora’s base to push the series to a deciding Game 5.
But Edward “Edward” Dapadap pulled off a game-winning Land Shaker-Flicker combo that caught three TNC players in a pivotal 15-minute clash near the lord pit in the series-clinching victory.
Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo shone through with a signature mage pick Cecilion, registering a 3/0/8 KDA and a 92% kill participation.
RORA will face stiffer competition in the Upper Bracket Finals, though, as they take on defending champions TLPH. Meanwhile, reigning World Champions ONIC Philippines hope to continue their quest in the MPL, and a spot in M7, when they tangle with a determined TNC team.
Both matches happen on Friday still at the Cuneta Astrodome.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.