TEAM Liquid Philippines just reminded everyone why it’s the reigning, defending MPL Champions.
The kings of MPL Season 15 and MSC 2025 titleholders were hardly challenged in punching their ticket to the MPL Philippines Season 16 Grand Finals following a dominant 4–1 triumph over TNC Pro Team, setting up a title defense against Aurora Gaming while securing a coveted M7 World Championship slot in the process.
The series opener saw Team Liquid PH rely on the sharp instinct of Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya on the EXP lane, playing as Lapu-Lapu, for an early snowball against TNC.
Sanford's consistent pressure effectively deterred TNC's damage dealers, enabling the Cavalry to easily secure major objectives.
Fearless yet methodical, Sanford’s Lapu-Lapu earned him MVP recognition with a 2-1-7 KDA.
In Game 2, TNC showcased total control over Team Liquid PH, remaining deathless until the 10-minute mark when Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales’s Bane was caught overextending and punished by Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz’s Gatotkaca taunt and Kiel “Oheb” Soriano’s Ruby stun.
But Justine “Zaida” Palma, playing as Fanny, refused to squander the team’s early game momentum, leading the Phoenix Army by securing kills and major objectives over Team Liquid PH.
Zaida showcased mastery on Fanny with a commendable 5-2-6 KDA, powering up TNC to tie the series at 1-1.
That turned out to be the Phoenix Army’s last stand.
Cavalry rush
Quickly licking its wounds, Team Liquid PH demolished TNC in Game 3 with a lopsided 15-3 kill score, thanks to Sanford’s beastly “Apex Predator” performance with Arlott.
Sanford executed a highlight-worthy Final Slash-Flicker combo during the 11-minute period inhibitor turret push to catch four members of TNC.
Sanford earned the MVP honors once again with a 3-2-7 KDA, propelling the Cavalry to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven showdown.
Game 4 saw Team Liquid deny any hopes of TNC to bounce back in the series, with Jaypee, playing as Gatotkaca, leading the Cavalry’s charge for a 20-8 kill score.
Team Liquid PH stormed through TNC's base after claiming the second lord objective, but Oheb’s Granger was too hot to handle after coming up with a game-winning double kill.
Jaypee stood tall in the frontlines with a 2-0-12 KDA, guiding Team Liquid PH to a decisive 3-1 match point.
TNC Pro Team made a valiant stand hoping to extend the series further with Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog leading the counterattack with Grock during the 10-minute skirmish at the bottom lane.
But everything turned in the Cavalry’s favor after they secured the last Lord and charged through with their signature stampede, eliminating four members of TNC in the final siege.
With Zaida being the only player standing from TNC’s end, TLPH wrapped up the series and punched their ticket to the MPL Grand Finals and M7.
KarlTzy, playing his signature Lancelot, earned the MVP honors with a commendable 5-2-4 KDA.
Team Liquid PH and Aurora Gaming are set to clash in the MPL Philippines Season 16 Grand Finals this Sunday.
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