TNC Pro Team earned themselves a spot in the Lower Bracket Finals after sending M6 World Champions ONIC packing in MPL Philippines Season 16.
The TNC Pro Team pulled off the biggest surprise of the MPL Philippines Season 16 playoffs after they ousted reigning World Champions ONIC Philippines to march on to the Lower Bracket Finals in a thrilling series, 3-2, at the Cuneta Astrodome on Friday.
TNC, who also pushed league leaders Aurora to five games in their earlier series, made sure to win when it counted against a vengeful ONIC side that was sent to the Lower Bracket by title rivals Team Liquid.
But TNC, powered by Justine “Zaida” Palma and Lance “LanceCy” Cunanan, pulled the rug from under the M6 world champions.
Zaida provided crucial kills in the early goings of the winner-take-all Game 5 where he dictated TNC’s momentum for the Phoenix Army as they closed out their foes in thrilling fashion.
LanceCy, meanwhile, was pivotal in Game 3 where TNC started to gain the advantage over ONIC.
The midlaner finished with a 7/0/5 KDA to power TNC, including in crucial moments in the 18th minute lord dance and a double-kill not long after to force the world champions on the brink of elimination early in the playoffs.
Despite Borris “Brusko” Parro’s Chou asserting his will in Game 4 to force the decider, TNC’s momentum was just too much for ONIC to handle.
Aurora Gaming is the first team through to the M7 World Championships after a win over Team Liquid. | Photo: MPL Philippines
Aurora clinches M7 spot
Over in the Upper Bracket, Aurora Gaming became the first team to punch their slot to the M7 World Championships with a 3-1 victory over defending MPL champions Team Liquid.
Still on an undefeated streak now with 15 games and counting, RORA pulled out all the stops against TLPH.
The Northern Lights amped up the pressure in Game 3 when, after both teams split the first two games in the best-of-5 series, Aurora pulled ahead with a quick 5-0 kill score and a 6k gold lead all inside the first 10 minutes of the match.
A wipeout at the 18th minute gave Aurora Gaming match point which they made sure to take advantage of.
In Game 4, regular season MVP Dylan “Light” Catipon emerged as the key with his Gatotkaca pick by providing perfectly timed setups for Aurora’s damage dealers.
The win thus powered Aurora into the grand finals where they await the winner between Cinderella team TNC and defending champions Team Liquid on Saturday, October 25.
The Grand Finals will commence on Sunday still at the Cuneta Astrodome.
—
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.