IT felt like only a few nights ago when Aurora Gaming PH ruled the M7 World Championship in Jakarta, delivering one of the most dominant M-Series Grand Finals in MLBB history.
Rising above a world that doubted them, The Northern Lights rewrote their destiny one step at a time, proving that their triumph was the product of relentless hard work and unwavering dedicatio – something that was captured in ‘Towards the Light: The Aurora Gaming PH M7 World Championship Documentary’.
Beyond the scoreboard, the documentary traces Aurora’s M7 journey through immense pressure, harsh criticism, and private, behind-the-scenes conversations that shaped their championship run.
Aurora's Redemption in Motion
Old memories from the M6 World Championship and MPL Philippines Season 16 resurface: slumped shoulders, distant gazes, frustration written on their faces, and scathing online criticism following a shattered dream. The documentary opens with these moments, framing Aurora’s M7 journey as a mission rooted in redemption.
At M6, Aurora faced a heartbreaking exit after a disappointing 1-3 Swiss Stage performance, winning only a single series and failing to qualify for the Knockout Stage.
“Noong M6, ayun ‘yung hindi ko ine-expect na first time ko mag-international na hindi kami nakapag-playoffs… contender kami that time pero ayun hindi pinalad,” Aurora analyst Dexter “Dexstar” Alaba said.
The heartbreak continued. All eyes were on Aurora during MPL Season 16 after a 13-match winning streak in the regular season made them clear frontrunners. But when it mattered most, they were swept 0-4 by Team Liquid in the Grand Finals.
“Noong natalo kami nung Season 16, sobrang frustrated ako… feeling ko kaya namin,” head coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani said, recalling how difficult it was to accept the defeat.
Starting M7, Aurora faced the same Team Liquid in the Swiss Stage. Although they lost the first encounter and faced further online criticism, Aurora stayed focused on the process, taking it step by step. Their discipline paid off, finishing the Swiss Stage with a 3-1 record and securing Knockout Stage qualification.
The Price of Greatness
Aurora’s M7 journey is compelling not only for the victories but also for the sacrifices behind them—countless hours of practice, both mental and physical exhaustion, time away from loved ones, and a constant battle against doubts and expectations.
“We don’t have much time lalo na nagpe-prepare ako. Most of my time talaga sa work, and after ng work, work pa ulit, tulog na lang talaga ‘yung nagiging rest ko kaya sobrang worth it and sobrang happy ako na nakuha ko ‘yung championship dahil lahat ng sacrifices naming dalawa ay naging worth it,” Finals MVP Dylan “Light” Catipon shared.
For sixth man Justin “Calad” Limbo, the sacrifice felt even heavier.
“Ang tagal namin nag-stay doon sa Indonesia, ‘yung dalawang baby ko ang tagal ko hindi nakita, tsaka ‘yung wife ko,” he said.
Before M7, Aurora already competed at the Games of the Future in Abu Dhabi, fitting a tight competitive schedule and cutting short their holiday break to prepare for the world stage. Sacrificing moments with family during the season of giving is just one of many things it takes to reach the top.
To be a champion, a hefty price must be paid—and hard work and dedication are the currency.
The Turning Point
Entering M7, Aurora was overlooked in every championship prediction, expected to be one of the first to fall. Instead, they flipped the script, dominating the upper bracket while fan favorites tumbled to the lower bracket.
In the tactical perspective of Master the Basics, what seemed like a disadvantage actually worked in Aurora’s favor.
“I think ‘yung pinaka naging edge namin sa buong M7 is hindi talaga sa amin nakatingin lahat ng teams. Para kaming underdogs dahil nga hindi kami nanalo ng Season 16, hindi kami nag-champion sa Games of the Future, hindi na kami tinitignan na top team. Considered na kami as A-team na dadaanan mo lang kapag gusto mo mag-champion,” Master the Basic said.
One of their biggest tests came in the Upper Bracket semifinals against Alter Ego, the Indonesian runner-up squad. Despite the breezy win, Dominic “Domengkite” Delmundo praised their opponents’ grit and innovative use of fighter heroes in the gold lane.
“Noong nakalaban namin ‘yung Alter Ego, napansin ko una ‘yung strength nila. Sila ‘yung unang gumamit ng fighter sa gold lane, like ‘yung Freya ni Arfy. Ang lakas nila, nag-improve sila. Makikita mo sa kanila gaano sila kagutom manalo,” Domengkite said.
Later on, Aurora Gaming PH stunned the M7 stage after defeating Malaysia’s Selangor Red Giants in the Upper Bracket Finals with a hard-fought 3-2 victory, proving they could no longer be underestimated and becoming the first team to secure a Grand Finals berth.
But fate saved its most dramatic twist for last—Aurora and Alter Ego would meet again in the Grand Finals.
“Para sa akin, ‘yung pinaka-confident ko na match ‘yung sa Alter Ego Grand Finals kasi nakakuha na rin kami ng momentum that time. Alam na rin namin paano kalabanin ‘yung Alter Ego,” mid laner Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo said.
“I would say kasi second matchup na namin ng AE, nandoon ‘yung fear na baka nabasa na nila kami,” Light admitted, worried that Alter Ego might have figured out Aurora’s strategies.
Aware of Alter Ego’s mastery with fighter heroes in the gold lane, Master the Basics banned Arfy’s signature Freya in every Grand Finals game, making the Indonesian representatives struggle.
His coaching brilliance extended beyond strategies, continuously reminding Aurora to stay composed and carry out the mission of showcasing Filipino excellence to the world.
“Buong Pilipinas na ‘yung nakasuporta sa atin so ipakita natin ‘yung puso ng Pinoy, ‘yung pride ng Pinoy, ‘yung tapang, ‘yung aura, ‘yung angas. Ilabas natin, guys. Kahit natalo na natin ‘yung mga ‘yan, hindi tayo pwede magpaka-overconfident. Mas gigil bumawi ‘yung galing sa lower bracket kaya dapat higitan natin ‘yung gigil nila,” Coach Master the Basics said.
When the stakes were highest, just one victory from the championship, Master the Basics refused to allow another heartbreak and kept the team laser-focused.
“Matchpoint ‘to! Wag niyong madaliin, guys! Wag kayong magiging excited, wag kayong mangigigil, tapusin muna natin ‘yung laro tsaka niyo ilabas lahat ng emosyon niyo. Focus lang muna tayo. Wag niyong isipin na tapos na ‘yung laban hangga’t di nababasag ‘yung base,” he reminded.
It is in these behind-the-scenes moments that Aurora shines brightest—revealing that true greatness comes from resilience, discipline, composure, and belief.
None of this would have been possible without Aurora’s devoted fans, whose unwavering support persisted even when the world doubted them. Dexstar expressed his gratitude to those fans who traveled all the way to Indonesia to cheer them on.
“Yung mga nanonood na Pinoy sa Indonesia, syempre una thankful, gumastos pa sila ng sariling pera para lang manood ng live para suportahan kami eh pwede naman sila manood sa bahay nila. Grabe talaga ‘yung support nila, sobrang thankful kami. Ganoon din sa mga nanood sa Pinas."
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