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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Esports devider Team Liquid PH, Aurora arrange upper bracket clash

Team Liquid PH, Aurora arrange upper bracket clash

Published Oct 23, 2025 11:34 pm

At A Glance

  • Team Liquid Philippines and Aurora Gaming arranged an upper bracket clash in the MPL Philippines Season 16 playoffs after sending their respective opponents down to the lower bracket at the Cuneta Astrodome on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Team Liquid Philippines and Aurora Gaming arranged an upper bracket clash in the MPL Philippines Season 16 playoffs after sending their respective opponents down to the lower bracket at the Cuneta Astrodome on Thursday, Oct. 23.

TLPH stamped its class and dominated Onic Philippines, 3-0, in the rematch of the last season’s grand finals while Aurora survived TNC Pro Team, 3-2 to put themselves in the position to claim one of the finals spots, and, more importantly, a slot in the M7 World Championships in January.

Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno looked to be in his top form as he spearheaded the Cavalry to the stunning sweep of the reigning world titlists.

The TLPH star jungler dictated the tempo of the series opener, dominating the jungle battle against Onic’s Cyric “K1NGKong” Perez with the Yi Sun-Shin pick.

The duo of Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya and Alston “Sanji” Pabico then led the charge to put TLPH at match point before Karltzy, once again, came through with the big plays in the clincher – particularly in a crucial 19-minute Lord dance.

Meanwhile, top seed Aurora kept its win streak going though without a huge scare after TNC dragged the series to a winner-take-all Game 5.

The Phoenix Army survived multiple Lord sieges in Game 4 before finally breaking through the Northern Lights high-ground defense to score the series-tying win.

TNC carried the momentum to the opening minutes of Game 5 but Aurora, behind its late game hero Cecilion on the hands of midlaner Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo.

A crucial 12-minute Lord clash proved to be pivotal for Aurora, securing the important objective while also completing a five-man wipe to trigger the comeback.

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