Aurora Gaming secured the final Philippine berth at the M8 World Championship after defeating Team Liquid PH, 4–3, in the lower-bracket final of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines. The deciding series was played on 24 October 2026 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The best-of-seven series gave Team Liquid PH another opportunity to pursue the MPL Philippines Season 18 title, but Aurora Gaming ended that run in a closely fought decider. The result also sends Aurora to its first appearance at the world championship, according to the player statement included in Explained PH’s report.
Aurora recovered after falling behind twice
Team Liquid PH took the opening game after turning an early contest around with a four-for-one exchange and then winning a major fight around the third Lord. That gave the Cavalry a 1–0 advantage in the series.
Aurora responded immediately, finishing Game 2 in 10 minutes and 40 seconds to level the match. Team Liquid PH regained the lead in Game 3, with Dave “Teddy” Viaña and Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz contributing to the team’s success during the Lord fight. The Cavalry moved ahead, 2–1.
Nathanael “Nathzz” Estrologo then helped Aurora stabilize the series through aggressive Barats initiations. Aurora used repeated Lord pressure to take control of Game 4 and eliminated four Team Liquid PH players without losing one of its own, bringing the score to 2–2.
| Series stage | Result |
|---|---|
| Lower-bracket final | Aurora Gaming 4–3 Team Liquid PH |
| Venue | PhilSports Arena, Pasig City |
| Date | 24 October 2026 |
| Qualification | Aurora Gaming to the M8 World Championship |
Team Liquid PH forced a deciding game
Aurora carried its momentum into Game 5 and went one win away from the grand final with a 3–2 lead. Team Liquid PH refused to close out the series there. After taking the first Lord in Game 6, the Cavalry won a three-for-one exchange near the blue buff and pushed through the inhibitor turrets to make the score 3–3.
The final game remained even in kills, with both teams finishing on eight. Aurora gained the difference through objectives: it secured two Lords, destroyed five towers and finished with 42,476 gold. Team Liquid PH destroyed four towers and ended the game with 39,603 gold. Those advantages allowed Aurora to close the series, 4–3.
“I feel overwhelming happiness because this is my first appearance at a world championship. In all my previous attempts, I always lost, so I am very happy that I will finally get to show my performance on the world stage.”
The translated remarks, as quoted by Explained PH, came after Aurora completed the comeback. The qualification gives the Philippines another representative at the international M8 event, while Team Liquid PH’s campaign ends one victory short of the MPL Philippines Season 18 grand final.
- Final score: Aurora Gaming defeated Team Liquid PH, 4–3.
- Key decider figures: eight kills apiece, two Lords for Aurora, and a 42,476–39,603 gold advantage.
- International outcome: Aurora Gaming earned the final Philippine ticket to the M8 World Championship.
