JUST like that, the MPL Philippines Season 16 Playoffs are right around the corner after eight weeks of intense and drama-filled regular season action.
The stage is set for even more chaos and heart-stopping moments as six teams chase the Immortal Cup—but only one team will leave the Cuneta Astrodome as champion.
READ: How Blacklist shaped an entire era of MLBB through the UBE strat
Beyond the prestigious Immortal Cup, two coveted tickets to the M7 World Championship are also at stake, with the finalists set to carry the nation’s flag in Jakarta, Indonesia, this January 2026.
Let’s take a closer look at what lies ahead for the teams fighting for the MPL Philippines Season 16 title and a ticket to the M7 World Championship.
Brighter Days Ahead for Aurora?
Aurora closed out its regular season with a stellar 13-1 record, tying ONIC Philippines’ Season 14 record for the longest win streak in MPL PH history.
Top seed Aurora Gaming heads to the playoffs' upper bracket with ONIC PH close behind at second.
In the past season, Aurora consistently shines in the regular season, but once the playoffs begin, a familiar curse seems to follow them—opponents often appear to have decoded their system.
This time, Aurora is determined to rewrite its playoff story after falling short in the Season 14 Grand Finals against Fnatic ONIC Philippines (now ONIC PH) before bowing out in the Season 15 lower bracket semifinals to Team Falcons.
With all roads leading to the M7 World Championship, Aurora also seeks redemption on the global stage after a disappointing Swiss Stage exit in last year’s M6 World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Aurora will face either TNC Pro Team or Twisted Minds in the upper bracket—both squads are determined to prove their grit against the league’s best.
All eyes are on Aurora as its consistency and drafting brilliance are put to the ultimate test—will they keep their momentum or crumble under playoff pressure?
And as Aurora looks to lift its so-called curse, another powerhouse turns its sights on history.
A Road Returning to M-Series
As the reigning M6 World Champions, ONIC Philippines seek to make a historic return to the M-Series stage and chase an unprecedented back-to-back world titles.
M3 World Champions Blacklist International came close to making history with back-to-back world titles at M4 but ended in heartbreak after falling to Echo Philippines in the All-Filipino Grand Finals.
The Super Family wrapped up its regular season with an 8-5 tally, locking in the second seed and an upper bracket slot—but that does not guarantee safety from elimination in one of MPL Philippines’ most competitive seasons yet.
ONIC PH may not have replicated its Season 14 dominance, yet the yellow-black squad showcased relentless grit and resolve throughout the regular season despite setbacks from Aurora, Twisted Minds, and AP.Bren.
Even world champions experience setbacks, and following a few unexpected losses, ONIC Philippines now has the opportunity to reaffirm its title as world champions in one of the most challenging playoff stages yet.
ONIC PH’s upper bracket opponent will be determined after the play-in match between Team Liquid PH and Team Falcons.
With ONIC’s eyes set on a return to the M-Series, every map and draft decision could determine whether history repeats itself or is rewritten.
The Hunter and Prey
The playoffs couldn’t ask for a better opener than a thrilling rematch between Team Falcons and Team Liquid Philippines.
In Week 8, Team Falcons soared past Team Liquid PH with a dramatic 2-1 victory that earned them a playoff ticket and denied the Cavalry’s hope to secure an upper bracket slot.
Falcons battled through a turbulent regular season and a painful seven-match losing skid from Week 1 to 5, but when tournament life was on the line, they proved that nothing is impossible when the will to win burns stronger than doubt.
Defending MPL and MSC champions Team Liquid PH stumbled at times in Season 16, showing cracks in what was once unbreakable armor on its quest for the “Golden Road.”
The “Golden Road” represents the ultimate achievement—winning every major MLBB Esports title in a single year—and Team Liquid PH now stands on the brink of making history if they claim both the Season 16 and M7 World Championship crowns.
Team Liquid PH may have missed out on the upper bracket berth they were aiming for, but this is their chance to show what true champions are made of, even if it means taking the long road through the lower bracket if it comes to that.
Both Team Falcons and Team Liquid PH are eyeing a comeback on the international stage at M7, but first, they must ace their MPL PH playoff campaign to earn that spot.
Team Falcons and Team Liquid PH boast rosters stacked with championship pedigree and veteran experience, but only one team will live another day to face ONIC Philippines and continue the climb to the Immortal Cup.
Falcons are out to prove their Week 8 triumph wasn’t a fluke, while Team Liquid PH seeks revenge with higher stakes.
Seasoned Pros Meet Fearless Youth
TNC Pro Team and Twisted Minds are set to collide in a fiery Wednesday play-in showdown, ready to unleash chaos and prove their burning determination to win the Immortal Cup.
Guided by the veteran leadership of Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog, TNC Pro Team secured back-to-back playoff appearances, leaving behind the long playoff drought that lasted from Season 10 to Season 14.
Hoping for redemption, TNC looks to advance deeper into the playoffs—unlike last year’s heartbreak against Team Falcons in the play-ins.
Twisted Minds, composed of promising young guns, have proven they belong among the seasoned pros, though they stumbled a few times in the regular season against powerhouse squads like Aurora and ONIC PH.
The rookies of Twisted Minds made such a splash that all three—Miguel “Sionnn” Alcantara, Mico “Nosia” Guevarra, and John “Caloy” Roma—earned nominations for “Rookie of the Season” in the MPL PH Season 16 Alamat Awards. Now, it’s time to turn that recognition into results on the playoff stage against TNC Pro Team.
Six Teams, Only One Champion
With only six teams left standing, the MPL PH Season 16 Playoffs promise chaos, triumph, heartbreak, and history in the making.
Will Aurora finally lift the curse? Can ONIC defend its world title? Will Team Liquid PH or Falcons rise again? Or could TNC and Twisted Minds steal the spotlight?
One thing’s certain—the path to the Immortal Cup and M7 glory will test every team’s resilience, identity, and championship heart.
In the end, only one will lift the Immortal Cup—proving that in MPL Philippines, legends are forged among the best of the best.
MPL PH Season 16 Playoffs schedule:
Oct 22 (Wednesday)
3:00 PM - TLPH vs Falcons
7:00 PM - TNC vs Twisted Minds
Oct 23 (Thursday)
3:00 PM - ONIC PH vs TBD
7:00 PM - Aurora vs TBD
Oct 24 (Friday)
3:00 PM - TBD vs TBD
7:00 PM - TBD vs TBD
Oct 25 (Saturday)
5:00 PM - TBD vs TBD
Oct 26 (Sunday)
5:00 PM - TBD vs TBD
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