Aurora breaks Team Liquid’s undefeated record with an Estes

AURORA MLBB maintains an unblemished 6-0 record after shattering the undefeated streak of Team Liquid Philippines with a reverse sweep in the fourth week of the MPL Philippines Season 15.

Bringing out the classics and reintroducing the iconic Ultimate Bonding Experience (UBE) strategy, how did Estes’ return prove to be a game-changer for Aurora against Team Liquid PH?

Aurora Gaming surprised MPL fans by selecting Estes for the first time this season, honoring three-time MPL champion Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna and revealing that they had long planned the pick, considering today the perfect opportunity.

“Kasi hinintay kong sumanib yung aura ni V33 kay Renejay. So kanina naramdaman ko eh. Sabi niya, “Coach, ito na yun. Ito na yung hinintay natin!" Kaya pinasok namin,” head coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani said.

In case you missed it, Estes made his last appearance exactly a year ago in a match against TNC Pro Team during MPL Philippines Season 13, played by Blacklist International’s roamer Kim "Kimpoy" Cruz.

Estes was not chosen on a whim—Aurora had already decided as a team to entrust the support-healer hero to their team captain, Renejay “Renejay” Barcarse.

“May ibang hero pa akong gusto gamitin eh, pero dahil marami din nag-suggest sa akin, tapos tingin ko naman pasok. So yun, nilaban ko na rin. Tiwala nalang. Napa-practice naman namin eh,” Renejay said.

Making sure to make Estes' rare appearance count, Renejay shined on the battlefield, securing the MVP title with a 0-1-15 KDA and 94% kill participation.

PHOTO: MPL Philippines

Utility junglers making a comeback?

As the season reached its midpoint, a shake-up in the Land of Dawn has unfolded with new patch updates that will put teams’ adaptability to the test.

“Siguro sa update, bago pa lang kasi yung update so konti pa lang talaga yung na-ta-try. Pero, tingin ko, babalik talaga yung mga support meta kasi na-buff yung mga support emblems na magbe-benefit talaga yung mga support."

"Then, yung sa mga utility junglers, situational talaga siya. Siguro kung tandem sila ng support, baka bumalik talaga. Pero tingin ko parin, sa ngayon, nasa trial stage pa siya kasi kaka-update pa lang,” coach Master the Basics explained, considering the possibility of support meta returning to action with the new patch updates.

Aurora’s match against Team Liquid PH was a statement of their adaptability, neutralizing opponents who seem to have dissected their playstyle with unexpected maneuvers.

“Gusto kasi nilang kunin yung mga heroes namin like yung Matilda, Alpha. Naalala ko kasi nung game 5 nung playoffs last season, yun yung ginamit namin nung nalaglag sila sa amin. So, ginamit nila sa amin yung hero namin."

"Kaya naghahanap kami ng way para sagutin yun. Siguro that time, nung drafting siguro naisip na namin na possible. Hindi naman siya totally counter, pero depende talaga siya sa situation kung mapu-pull off yung Estes or hindi,” coach Master the Basics recalled.

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