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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Esports devider TLPH ends TNC's Cinderella run, forges finals vs Aurora

TLPH ends TNC's Cinderella run, forges finals vs Aurora

Published Oct 26, 2025 05:06 am

At A Glance

  • Team Liquid PH had the clock striking midnight to TNC Pro Team's Cinderella run following a dominant 4-1 victory in the lower bracket finals to advance to the Grand Finale of the MPL Philippines Season 16 at the Cuneta Astrodome on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Team Liquid PH had the clock striking midnight to TNC Pro Team’s Cinderella run following a dominant 4-1 victory in the lower bracket finals to advance to the Grand Finale of the MPL Philippines Season 16 at the Cuneta Astrodome on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Facing up against the great challenge from a hungry Phoenix Army side, the Cavalry showed poise under pressure as Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya and Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno took turns in delivering the goods for the defending champions.
With the win, not only did TLPH get a chance to defend its title in the MPL, it also kept its Golden Road bid alive after punching its M7 world championship ticket.
The team also forged a rematch of the upper bracket finals clash with the top seed Aurora after the latter came away with a 3-1 win in their previous meeting.
Going back-and-forth in the first two games of the series, TLPH seized momentum in Game 3 behind the perfect setup from Sanford’s Arlorr pick during a 10th minute clash.
He caught foUr TNC players in the setup allowing TLPH to get the gold lead and have its heroes quickly reaching their power spikes for a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Karltzy then ran wild on his Lancelot pick in Game 4 as he dominated the jungle battle to give TLPH the early game lead.
TNC, however, refused to go down without a fight as Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog, behind a perfectly timed Tectonic Charge ultimate from his Grock, helped his team level the field after scoring a wipeout of TLPH.
Karltzy, though, slammed the door on any TNC comeback hopes following a clutch Lord steal at the 14th minute mark.
Despite falling short, it was still a huge improvement for TNC, which from being a perennial doormat team through the last seasons, achieved its best finish yet in the MPL.
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