Team Liquid points to slow patch adjustment as reason behind EWC struggles
At A Glance
- Team Liquid Philippines did not hide its disappointments after suffering an early exit in the 2026 Mid-Season Cup at the Esports World Cup, citing the team's struggles to adapt to the new patch as the reason behind the shock elimination.
Team Liquid Philippines did not hide its disappointments after suffering an early exit in the 2026 Mid-Season Cup at the Esports World Cup, citing the team’s struggles to adapt to the new patch as the reason behind the shock elimination.
Speaking after the tough 0-2 defeat at the hands of Entity 7 of Peru in the lower bracket of Group B, TLPH said the team simply lacked the preparations to adjust the new META since the patch was only released roughly a week before the tournament proper.
“The competition is really high this year and I see a lot of teams improving so much during the update,” said Team Liquid star Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno.
“I feel like it is our fault that we didn't adapt very fast and that has always been the problem for us even before,” added the veteran jungler.
While Team Liquid dominated MPL Philippines, the Cavalry ended up winless in EWC, losing to Aurora Turkey in the upper bracket before the stinging defeat against Entity 7.
On both occasions, Team Liquid struggled against drafts that put a premium on the early game — evident in the double-fighter picks — as well as the much aggressive jungle pressure from the opposing teams.
“Ang pinagkaiba lang non mas preparado kami sa MPL PH kaya mas nadominate namin compared dito sa EWC,” said TLPH gold laner Dave “Teddy” Viana.
“Gaya nga ng sabi ni coach Aeon one week lang before the tournament yung patch kaya di kami masyado nakapagprepare, parang nag-mamatter lang yung preparation kaya di namin nadominate yung EWC,” he added.
While the loss definitely stings, especially after failing to even reach the playoffs and get the chance to defend its MSC title, veteran roamer Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz is urging his team to take the loss by the chin.
“Medyo mahirap talaga kasi kakagaling lang namin sa talo pero kailangan lang din namin siguro ma-accept agad yung mga nangyari at saka maraming matutunan sa pagkatalo namin at makapag bounce back agad kami,” said Jaypee.