Lineup:
Chan "Rafflesia" Fajura
Jaypee "Jaypee" Dela Cruz
Ashley "Killuash" Cruz
Allen "Greed" Baloy
Benedict "Bennyqt" Gonzales
Mark "Hadess" Lazaro
Coach: Michael Angelo "Arcadia" Bocado
Strategic coach: Steven "DaleDalus" Vitug
Season 6 finish: 5th-8th place
Holdovers: Rafflesia, Jaypee, Killuash, Greed
Departures: Kiel VJ "Kielvj" Hernandez, Renz "Renzio" Cadua
Additions: Bennyqt, Hadess
Proving that it's dead serious in reclaiming the MPL Philippines throne, Aura PH made sweeping changes ahead of Season 7.
After an unexpected exit in the opening round of Season 6 playoffs at the hands of fierce rival Onic PH, Aura decided to let go of Kiel VJ "Kielvj" Hernandez and Renz "Renzio" Cadua
This despite Kielvj and Renzio being part of its back-to-back championships in Seasons 4 and 5 under the Sunsparks banner.
The team then got Benedict "Bennyqt" Gonzales from Execration and Mark "Hadess" Lazaro from Cignal Ultra as replacements.
Bennyqt (gold laner) and Hadess (jungler/sixth man) joined the remaining championship core of Aura in Chan "Rafflesia" Fajura (tank/support), Jaypee "Jaypee" Dela Cruz (jungler), Ashley "Killuash" Cruz (EXP laner) and Allen "Greed" Baloy (mage/support).
But the biggest offseason move Aura made was its acquisition of decorated coach Steven "DaleDalus" Vitug (simply known as Dale) from last season's runner-up and M2 playoffs finisher Smart Omega.
Dale now serves as a strategic coach for Aura, working hand-in-hand with another respected mentor in Michael Angelo "Arcadia" Bocado, the architect of Sunsparks' two straight titles.
"We're going all-in (this Season 7). We improved our coaching staff. We hired Coach Dale who is a very famous coach and has so many credentials. We're gonna give our all just to be champions again," said Arcadia in the MPL Philippines' Bootcamp Raid episode hosted by casters Rob Luna and Adrian "Butters" Jison.
This upcoming Season 7, Aura will slug it out with defending MPL and world champion Bren Esports, Onic, Cignal Ultra and qualifier Work Auster Force.
Aura will start its bid to regain its lost glory versus league newcomer Work on Friday, March 19, at 6 p.m. based on the revised schedule released by MPL PH.