Metro Manila, Philippines — Team Liquid Philippines (TLPH) took down M7 world champions Aurora Gaming PH in an early showdown, 2–1, to kick off MPL Philippines Season 17 on Friday, March 20.
The duel started with TLPH securing the first game — which lasted more than 20 minutes — through sharp, strategic plays by their newest player, gold laner Daiki.
Aurora Gaming bounced back in the second game in dominant fashion, containing TLPH’s jungler KarlTzy, who finished with a 1/8/2 KDA.
This came through more aggressive plays from Aurora’s roamer Light and gold laner Domengkite, who managed to score a maniac — killing five consecutive enemies — toward the final stretch of the game.
However, TLPH held off Aurora Gaming’s reverse sweep hopes after finishing Game 3 in less than 12 minutes.
The win was powered by a commanding performance from the “SanSan duo,” Sanji and Sanford, who accounted for eight of the team’s 15 kills while exploiting gaps in Aurora’s teamfight execution.
“Maikling panahon lang po talaga yung na-practice namin kasi nagkaroon kami ng Asian Games Combine,” said TLPH midlaner Sanji, referring to the ongoing selection process for national team players under SIBOL, who will represent the country in the upcoming Asian Games.
[Translation: We only practiced for a short period because we had to join the Asian Games Combine.]
Other participating teams include AP Bren, Omega Esports, Twisted Minds PH, Falcon Esports, ONIC Philippines, and TNC Pro Team.
The top two teams of MPL Philippines Season 17 will automatically secure a slot in the main stage of the Mid Season Cup at the Esports World Cup 2026, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
