NOTHING could kick off the MPL Philippines Season 17 more dramatically than an explosive matchup between the defending MPL champion Team Liquid PH and reigning M7 World Champions Aurora Gaming PH on March 20 at the Victoria Sports Tower.
An interesting substory? The MPL Philippines debut of Indonesian import Sultan "Aeronnshikii" Muhammad under the banner of Team Liquid PH.
The last time these two titans met was in the M7 World Championship Knockout Stage upper bracket quarterfinals, where Aurora Gaming PH edged out Team Liquid PH with a tight 2-1 win, sending the Cavalry to the lower bracket while the Northern Lights surged forward en route to the championship.
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But their rivalry runs deeper than a single series.
Across both local and international stages, Team Liquid PH and Aurora PH have built a rivalry defined by high-stakes clashes and unforgettable moments. Now, as a new season unfolds, the fire that once set the stage ablaze hasn’t faded—it burns even brighter.
Aurora Gaming PH enters the season looking to extend its dominance, retaining the same roster that powered its commanding title run in the M7 World Championships last January.
With momentum on its side, the Northern Lights aim to open their campaign with a statement victory against Team Liquid PH—the very squad that swept them in last season’s Grand Finals.
Meanwhile, Team Liquid PH seeks to defend its crown and recreate the dominance of its 2025 campaign, where the Cavalry came within reach of the elusive Golden Road.
The arrival of Aeronnshikii adds more drama, reopening some old wounds for Aurora.
Back in the M6 World Championship, Aeronnshikii was part of the Team Liquid ID squad that eliminated Aurora Gaming PH during the Swiss Stage.
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For Team Liquid PH, Aeronnshikii could be the missing piece that pushes an already championship-caliber roster even further, with all eyes on him as he steps into the role once held by Cavalry’s former gold laner Kiel “Oheb” Soriano.
As the newly crowned world champions, Aurora Gaming PH carries the confidence of a team that has conquered the global stage and facing the very player who once sent them home early adds another layer of motivation to open the season with a bang.
Will Aeronnshikii’s arrival be the thorn that disrupts Aurora’s brilliance? Or will the Northern Lights remind everyone why they sit atop the world?
This is no longer just a season opener—it’s a collision of pride, legacy, and unfinished business.
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