By: George Torno
Aurora extended their winning streak to nine with a dominant 2-0 sweep over Team Liquid PH in Week 6 of MPL Philippines on Monday at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.
The victory secured Aurora a playoff spot with a 9-1 record, keeping them ahead of TLPH (7-4), who remain in second place in the standings.
“Isa sa mga naging mindset namin for this week is to test kung playoff ready ba kami. Kumbaga kung kaya ba talaga namin sumabay or sinwerte lang kami,” Coach Anniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani said.
“Maganda as in sobrang ganda ng ginagawa ng [mga] players ng buong team, pero kung gusto talaga namin lumamang pa, hanap parin kami ng way para mag-improve,” he added.
With the win, Coach MTB said they finally found the answers they were looking for, but acknowledged that they still have a long way to go before claiming the championship.
In Game 1, Aurora gave TLPH no room to breathe.
Dylan “Light” Catipon (Grock) initiated constant skirmishes, while Edward “Edward” Dapdap (Lapu-Lapu) charged in with Bravest Fighter. Kennet “Yue” Tadeo (Cecilion) dealt heavy damage from the backline, helping Aurora end the game in just 10 minutes.
Edward’s two-man stun in the 7th minute — followed by Demonkite’s (Yi-Sun-Shin) Mountain Shocker and Dominic “Domengkite” Delmundo’s (Harith) Zaman Force — sparked a team fight that left TLPH struggling for control.
Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno (Fredrinn) was repeatedly punished, ultimately ending the fight with six deaths.
In Game 2, the Northern Lights again seized control.
A Heavy Spin set up in the 6th minute gave Domengkite (Granger) two kills before TLPH responded, forcing a 2-for-2 trade in the prolonged team fight.
By the 11th minute, a Flicker–Final Slash combo from Edward (Arlott) picked off Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya (Phoveous) during the final Lord push.
Meanwhile, Light’s Glorious Pathway paved the way for Demonkite’s (Akai) Heavy Spin to secure the crucial kill on KarlTzy (Fredrinn), sealing the match.
Aurora will aim for a franchise-record 10th straight win when they face Twisted Minds on Friday, October 3.
