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The Philippines continues its strong push for global supremacy at the M7 World Championship as Aurora Gaming PH and Team Liquid secured crucial victories during Day 3 of the knockout rounds of the M7 World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Against elite international competition, both Filipino squads demonstrated composure, tactical discipline, and championship-level decision-making — qualities essential for surviving the pressure-packed knockout stage of the M7 World Championship.
Aurora Gaming PH Advance to M7 World Championship Grand Finals
Aurora Gaming PH officially booked their place in the M7 World Championship grand finals after edging Malaysia’s Selangor Red Giants in a thrilling five-game upper bracket series that showcased world-class macro play and mental resilience.
Series Breakdown: Aurora Gaming PH vs Selangor Red Giants
| Game | Winner | Key Moment at the M7 World Championship |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Aurora Gaming PH | Late-game team fight execution |
| Game 2 | Selangor Red Giants | EXP lane dominance |
| Game 3 | Selangor Red Giants | Objective snowball |
| Game 4 | Aurora Gaming PH | Crucial Lord wipe |
| Game 5 | Aurora Gaming PH | Fifth Lord push to end |
Aurora struck first by patiently absorbing pressure and capitalizing on key team fights. However, Selangor Red Giants quickly flipped the series behind sharp macro play and lane dominance, pushing Aurora to the brink of elimination.
Selangor Red Giants’ Pushback at the M7 World Championship
The Malaysian squad proved why they are considered one of the tournament’s strongest teams. Filipino EXP laner Mark Rusiana and midlaner Hazziq Rizwan were instrumental in SRG’s mid-series surge, controlling tempo and punishing small mistakes.
Their aggressive lane control, timely rotations, and objective pressure flipped the series and gave SRG a 2–1 lead, showcasing their ability to dominate momentum-heavy matches at the M7 World Championship level.
Aurora’s Comeback Fueled by Mental Toughness at the M7 World Championship
Facing elimination, Aurora Gaming PH responded with their most composed performance of the tournament. A perfectly timed Lord engagement in Game 4 resulted in a four-man wipe, swinging momentum back in their favor and forcing a decisive Game 5.
The final game evolved into a tactical battle focused on vision control, defensive discipline, and patience — hallmarks of top-tier play at the M7 World Championship. When Selangor attempted to transition from defense to offense during the fifth Lord fight, Aurora punished the overextension and marched straight to the base to close the series.
Aurora Gaming PH’s Winning Factors
| Key Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Map Control | Denied flanks and vision |
| Lord Timing | Perfectly executed engagements |
| Discipline | Avoided unnecessary fights |
| Mental Resilience | Recovered from a 1–2 deficit |
The victory guaranteed Aurora Gaming PH a spot in the M7 World Championship grand finals.
Team Liquid Stay Alive in the M7 World Championship Lower Bracket
In the lower bracket, Team Liquid continued its run after defeating Indonesian champions ONIC Esports, silencing a partisan Jakarta crowd and keeping their hopes alive at the M7 World Championship.
Team Liquid vs ONIC Esports
| Game | Winner | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Team Liquid | Early tempo control |
| Game 2 | Team Liquid | Clean macro execution |
| Game 3 | ONIC Esports | Crowd-inspired comeback |
| Game 4 | Team Liquid | Controlled initiations |
Team Liquid surged to a 2–0 lead in the M7 World Championship series before ONIC mounted a response in Game 3. However, Team Liquid’s experience showed in Game 4, where calculated map control and disciplined engagements sealed the win.
Filipino Junglers Continue to Lead the Way
Filipino junglers once again played a decisive role, with Karl Nepomuceno of Team Liquid and Jonard Caranto of Aurora Gaming PH controlling objectives, tempo, and late-game transitions.
Jungler Impact Comparison
| Player | Team | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno | Team Liquid | Objective control, composure |
| Jonard “Demonkite” Caranto | Aurora Gaming PH | Map pressure, clutch smites |
Their performances reinforced the Philippines’ reputation as one of the strongest jungle regions in global competition.
What Lies Ahead for the Philippine Teams
Aurora Gaming PH now awaits the winner of the lower bracket in the grand finals scheduled for Sunday, January 25, while Team Liquid must continue its survival run against Turkiye’s Aurora Gaming on Friday at 4:00 p.m. (Manila time).
With one team already in the finals and another still battling, the Philippines remains firmly in the hunt as the M7 World Championship approaches its decisive stages — and the dream of lifting the trophy is still very much alive.
Read More:-
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- MLBB Esports 2026: Full Tournament Calendar and Season Roadmap
FAQs
1.Which Philippine teams are still competing?
Aurora Gaming PH has reached the grand finals, while Team Liquid remains alive through the lower bracket.
2.Who did Aurora Gaming PH defeat to reach the finals?
They eliminated Malaysia’s Selangor Red Giants in a closely contested five-game upper bracket series.
3.How did Team Liquid stay alive in the tournament?
Team Liquid defeated Indonesian champions ONIC Esports with disciplined macro play and strong objective control.
4.Which players stood out for the Filipino teams?
Junglers Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno and Jonard “Demonkite” Caranto played key roles in controlling tempo and late-game fights.