AURORA Gaming was put to the ultimate test by TNC Pro Team, and it still managed to shine brightly in the end.
The Northern Lights secured their spot in the MPL Philippines Season 16 upper bracket finals after a 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Army to set up a clash with reigning MPL and MSC 2025 champions Team Liquid PH.
In Game 1, Aurora Gaming asserted its dominance against the red-hot TNC Pro Team after taking major objectives and coming up with calculated teamfight initiations.
TNC Pro Team started off very promising, but Dylan “Light” Catipon’s Grock turned out to be the riddle that the Phoenix Army couldn't solve, as Aurora took control of the game with him on the lead.
Light landed an Earthen Rampant–Tectonic Charge combo at the 14-minute inhibitor push, trapping three TNC members and opening the way for Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo’s Kimmy to grab a double kill.
Rock-solid as ever, Light guided Aurora to a confident Game 1 triumph with a 0-2-7 KDA.
TNC Pro Team struck back in Game 2, dictating the tempo, pressuring the gold lane, controlling major objectives, and even forcing reactive plays from Aurora.
The moment of truth came when TNC chose to go all-in for the tower lock, ignoring Aurora’s defenders in a bold final push.
Justine “Zaida” Palma’s Lancelot was elusive, effortlessly navigating through Aurora’s backline and achieving a flawless 3-0-4 KDA, which played a crucial role in helping TNC even the series at 1-1.
The MPL stage burned bright as Aurora and TNC went head-to-head in a thrilling Game 3, trading blows and objectives in every breathtaking clash.
Dominic “Domengkite” Del Mundo on Granger erupted for a maniac kill score during the top lane 4-minute skirmish.
The match was a nail-biting tug-of-war, with momentum shifting to the side that could secure the Lord objective.
After securing the 22-minute Lord, Aurora went on an unstoppable push, tearing through TNC’s base to seize the 2-1 match point.
Domengkite stepped up big time and gunned it down for an impressive 11-2-1 KDA.
TNC Pro Team came back swinging and pushed Aurora Gaming to its limits in a grueling 25-minute Game 4.
The pressure of Phoenix Army was overwhelming, but Aurora punished TNC’s overextension in the middle lane during the 11-minute mark, eliminating Zaida on Yi Sun Shin and Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales on Cici.
Cedrix “Demonkite” Caranto managed to steal the 13-minute Lord with his Lancelot, but TNC Pro Team held its ground and took down Domengkite in the 14-minute mid-lane clash.
With an uncontested Lord take, TNC stormed through Aurora’s base to cap off a nerve-racking showdown and push the series to a decisive Game 5.
Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog, playing as Khaleed, earned the MVP honors with a 3-3-9 KDA.
In Game 5, TNC showed greater discipline and precision, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike and contest objectives instead of forcing chaotic team fights against Aurora.
Demonkite captured the Lord at the 12-minute mark, sparking a potential comeback as he led a wipeout of TNC, who were scattered across the map.
TNC mounted a gritty defense, but Aurora finally closed the match after Edward “Edward” Dapadap pulled off a game-winning Land Shaker–Flicker combo that caught three TNC players in a crucial 15-minute clash near the lord pit.
Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo stole the spotlight with his signature mage Cecilion, delivering a perfect 3-0-8 KDA and 92% kill participation.
Aurora moves forward to the upper bracket finals to take on reigning MPL and MSC 2025 champions Team Liquid PH, as TNC Pro Team prepares for a lower bracket semifinal clash against M6 Champions ONIC Philippines both on Friday.
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