EXP Laner Edward and the rest of Aurora Gaming PH remain laser-focused on their ultimate goal this M7 World Championship.
Aurora Gaming PH’s win over Team Liquid PH at the M7 World Championship meant more than just an upper bracket semifinals spot. Rather, it gave the team a much-needed confidence boost after past losses.
Fresh off Aurora’s 2–1 upper bracket quarterfinal victory that booked a semifinal berth, EXP laner Edward “Edward” Dapadap said beating TLPH lifted RORA’s morale.
Edward, however, stressed that the job is far from done.
“Tingin ko sobrang na-boost ‘yung morale namin tsaka confidence namin kasi Team Liquid ‘yung tinalo namin,” Edward said. “Pero hindi kami magse-settle sa less kasi nga grabe pa rin ‘yung makakalaban namin. Indo pa rin ‘yun, so hindi kami magpapabaya para umabot kami sa Grand Finals.”
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The win carried added weight for Aurora, which had fallen to Team Liquid earlier in the Swiss Stage.
When the quarterfinal draw was announced, Edward said the team already knew what was coming.
“Actually nung nakita kong nagpost si MLBB Esports na si Luminaire yung magda-draw, sabi ko, wala—mag-prepare na tayo sa TLPH,” he laughingly said.
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That anticipation quickly turned into motivation. After RORA dropped Game 2, Edward took charge in the decider with a steady Yu Zhong performance, posting a 4/2/5 line and anchoring late-game fights that helped his squad outlast TLPH.
“Siguro gawa rin ‘yung gusto namin makabawi talaga sa kanila kasi nga ang tagal na namin walang bawi sa kanila,” he said. “So, buti naman nanalo kami ngayon.”
With the quarterfinal hurdle cleared, Aurora Gaming PH now turns its attention to an even tougher challenge as it faces an undefeated Indonesian side in Alter Ego.
Like RORA, Alter Ego finished its MPL season as a runner-up. Also like RORA, they beat their counterpart reigning MPL champion in the M7 knockout stage.
Who will move on to the next stage of the upper bracket?
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.