By: Jan Marcus Montevirgen
Team Liquid Philippines (TLPH) handed TNC Pro Team the worst record in MPL Philippines history since Season 8, defeating them 2-1 during the final week of Season 14’s regular season on Saturday at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati.
The victory not only cemented TLPH’s resurgence but also catapulted them from fifth to third place in the standings with a record of 5-8.
This win became critical for TLPH as they jockeyed for a coveted upper-bracket slot in the playoffs.
Game 3 proved to be the decisive match, with Alston “Sanji” Pabico (Lou Yi) delivering an outstanding performance.
Sanji finished the game with a flawless KDA of seven kills and eight assists, securing a crucial victory for his team.
Recognizing Sanji’s pivotal role, head coach Archie “Tictac” Reyes praised his standout performance.
“Very commended siya (Sanji) sa paggamit sa Lou Yi. Yung macro plays niya [ay] high talaga. Sobrang ganda ng ginagawa niya,” Tictac said during the post-match interview.
Game 1, however, saw TLPH stumble early.
Daniel “SDzyz” Chu’s Hayabusa proved too overwhelming for them, dominating the match with eight kills and 13 assists, setting a commanding pace for TNC.
In Game 2, Sanji once again showcased his mastery of Lou Yi, turning the tide of the series.
In the final moments of the match, he executed a Triple Kill, sealing TLPH’s victory in 19 minutes and 12 seconds.
TNC’s loss extended their winless streak to a devastating 0-14, marking an unfortunate milestone – the worst performance by any team since the league adopted its franchise model.
With momentum on their side, Team Liquid Philippines is set to face Falcons AP.Bren on Sunday at 7:30 PM in their final regular season match – a crucial game that could shape their postseason path.
