Aurora eliminates Team Liquid to reach MPL Philippines final
Aurora will face Team Falcons for the Season 18 title and has qualified to defend its world crown at the M8 World Championship in Istanbul.
Aurora Gaming ended Team Liquid’s bid for a fourth consecutive MPL Philippines championship, winning their Season 18 lower-bracket final at PhilSports Arena on October 24 to secure a place in the grand final.
The victory also secured Aurora’s qualification for the M8 World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey. Aurora will meet Team Falcons in the domestic title match, seeking its first MPL championship after twice finishing runner-up.
Team Liquid moved 2-1 ahead after gold laner Dave “Teddy” Viaña helped deliver victories in Games 1 and 3. Aurora took the next two games, led by Dylan “Light” Catipon and Nathanael “Nathzz” Estrologo, before Liquid won Game 6 to force a deciding game.
Liquid held an 8-3 advantage in kills and a 2.3k gold lead during the opening 12 minutes of the decider. Aurora turned the contest around when jungler Kyle “Koyl” Reyes stole the second Lord, followed by a wipeout of Liquid’s players.
Aurora head coach Aniel “Master The Basics” Jiandani credited trust across the organisation, players, coaches and supporters, saying the result demonstrated the importance of following the team’s development process.
