By: Jerod Orcullo
Aurora made a powerful return to the winning column, sweeping AP.Bren 2-0 on the first day of MPL Philippines Season 15 Week 6, held Friday at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati.
After suffering its first defeat in a hard-fought three-game series against ONIC Philippines last Sunday, Aurora reasserted its dominance in convincing fashion against AP.Bren.
In the post-game interview, Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani explained that the team’s adjustments went beyond just facing ONIC. They had to factor in the new patch and the evolving identities of other teams as the season progressed.
“Para sa akin kasi ano, yung adjustment namin hindi lang talaga dun against sa ONIC, yung adjustment namin kasama nadin siguro yung patch. Nagkakaroon ng ibang scenario pagdating sa MPL kasi bawat team nagkakaroon na sila ng sariling identity, so yun yung siguro pinaka naging adjustment,” he stated.
To open the series, Aurora utilized an early-game-focused lineup centered on pressuring the jungle. Despite this, Aurora adapted quickly, creating space for Dominic “Domengkite” Delmundo to farm and prepare for the late game.
Domengkite delivered, dominating with his Moskov—securing six kills and six assists without any deaths. Aurora finished the first game in just 10 minutes and 19 seconds.
Building on that momentum, Aurora surprised AP.Bren by selecting Valentina for Edward “Edward” Dapadap in the EXP lane to counter Landher “Der” Gabriel’s Lukas.
AP.Bren struggled, finding themselves in difficult situations repeatedly as Cedrix “Demonkite” Caranto’s Hayabusa snowballed. He finished with seven eliminations and three assists in a 13-minute and 5-second game.
Following the victory, Aurora, now dubbed the “Northern Lights,” will take a two-week break before returning to action against Smart Omega on April 26 at the same venue.
Meanwhile, AP.Bren will look to keep its playoff hopes alive as it faces Team Liquid Philippines this Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
