RORA outlasts TLPH in lower bracket thriller, books final M8 World Championship ticket

Aurora Gaming (RORA) survived a grueling best-of-seven series against Team Liquid PH (TLPH), edging the latter, 4–3, in the lower bracket final of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines (MPL PH) at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on October 24.

In a winner-take-all showdown, RORA denied TLPH another shot at the MPL S18 title while punching its ticket to the M8 World Championship.

RORA appeared to dictate the opening game after securing all major objectives, but TLPH turned the tables with a crucial four-for-one trade before taking down three Aurora players in a decisive third-Lord team fight to claim a 1–0 series lead.

Roaring back, the Northern Lights answered back with a commanding performance, taking down the Cavalry in just 10 minutes and 40 seconds to even the series at 1–1.

TLPH struck back in Game 3, regaining the momentum through key plays from Dave “Teddy” Viaña and Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, who helped wipe out RORA during the lord clash to put the Cavalry ahead, 2–1.

However, Nathanael “Nathzz” Estrologo aggressive Barats initiations sparked Aurora’s counterattack, allowing them to take control and pressure TLPH through successive Lord pushes before eliminating four Cavalry players without losing a single member to tie the series at 2–2.

Aurora seized control in Game 5 and never looked back, overpowering TLPH to take a 3–2 series lead and move one win away from the grand finals.

Refusing to bow out, the Cavalry took control after securing the first Lord before punishing Aurora with a three-for-one trade near the blue buff and pushing through the inhibitor turrets to force a deciding Game 7 at 3–3.

With a grand finals berth on the line, both teams traded blows in a tightly contested decider, finishing with eight kills apiece, but RORA gained the upper hand in objective control by securing two Lords and destroying five towers against TLPH’s four while outpacing the Cavalry in gold, 42,476 to 39,603, to clinch the series, 4–3.

“Overwhelming ’yung saya na nararamdaman ko kasi first world appearance ko ’to. Sa lahat ng tries ko, lagi akong natatalo, kaya sobrang saya ko na finally, makikita na rin ang performance ko sa world stage,” said Nathzz, the match Most Valuable Player (MVP).

“Thank you sa lahat, lalo na sa mga Aurora fans na patuloy na sumuporta sa amin. Sobrang salamat sa inyong lahat,” he added.

Aurora Gaming PH will face Team Falcons PH in the MPL PH Season 18 grand final as both teams aim to claim the domestic championship after securing their places in the M8 World Championship.

With reports from GMA News