WHAT was expected to be a thrilling back-and-forth between two of the country’s best squads turned out to be a one-sided blowout after Team Liquid PH completely dismantled Aurora Gaming in the MPL Philippines Season 16 Grand Finals with a dominant 4-0 sweep last Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
And the ending to what was an otherwise one-way battle turned was simply pure cinema.
With Aurora seemingly getting a lifeline after Jonard ‘Demonkite’ Caranto’s Akai won the retribution battle on the Lord Dance, the Cavalry quickly showed that they’re a champion team for a reason.
READ: Team Liquid PH dominates Aurora to claim back-to-back MPL titles
Instead of forcing a fight as the Northern Lights regrouped to take advantage of the Lord, Alston “Sanji” Pabico came up with the call of his life.
The 20-year-old midlaner pulled off a Diversion play on his Luo Yi which had him and his teammates teleport toward the bottom creeps who were already on Aurora’s base, ending the game – and the hopes of the tournament’s top seed of hoisting an MPL trophy with it.
“Noong una kasi, pinapabawas lang ‘yung creeps sa bottom lane namin ni Dad (Jaypee), kasi possible talaga na ma-end kasi gamit namin ‘yung Lou Yi. Tapos noong nag lo-lord na, nakuha ng kalaban ‘yung lord,” Sanji said.
“So ‘yung shotcall namin is hindi kami pwede mag-out, papalag na kami, malulugi kami. Nakita ko na ‘yung creeps namin nasa tore na ng kalaban, so nag-TP na ako and sinigawan ko lang ‘yung kakampi ko na ‘Sa akin! Sa akin!’” he added.
The play, though risky, became the defining moment that sealed Team Liquid PH’s fourth MPL championship and reaffirmed its dominance in the MLBB pro scene.
The Hunger That Fuels the Fire
But save for that late Lord steal in Game Four, the Cavalry was hardly challenged as they came into the Grand Finals with a different fire and hunger – eager to prove that they are still the kings of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in the most competitive MPL tournament in the world.
When asked about the Cavalry’s preparation for the Grand Finals day — and what fueled their spectacular performance — Coach Rodel “Arsy” Cruz jokingly revealed they went in on an empty stomach to fuel that hunger.
“Wala nga kaming kinain,” Coach Arsy said with a laugh.
The Filipino Sniper, Kiel “Oheb” Soriano was already on fire even before the match started.
As Liquid PH and Aurora made their grand entrance , eyes fierce and determination blazing for a back-to-back championship, Oheb was undeniably locked in – and for good reason.
Aurora seemed to have Team Liquid’s number for the entire season, beating them twice in the regular season while also knocking them down to the lower bracket when they met in the upper bracket finals.
That was enough motivation for Oheb, as he dominated his counterpart Dominic “Domengkite” Delmundo in all four games.
“Para kaming mga gagamba. Pag ginugutom mas tumatapang,” Oheb added, referring to the childhood spider-fighting game where spiders are typically kept in matchboxes.
One Step at a Time
Team Liquid PH is now on the verge of making history, with only the M7 World Championship title left to complete the Golden Road after conquering Season 15, MSC 2025, and Season 16 in one MLBB calendar year.
The Cavalry hopes to achieve that milestone soon but remains grounded and focused on the process.
“Gusto namin since honor naman talaga ‘yung title na ‘yun pero sabi nga namin ng boys ay one step at a time. Focus muna kami sa training and darating rin kami doon” Team Liquid PH Country Manager Mitch Liwanag said.
Before the highly anticipated M7 World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, Team Liquid PH’s lineup will proudly represent the Philippines as SIBOL’s MLBB roster in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.
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