M7 Knockout Stage Recap — Days 1–3

The intensity dialed all the way up as the M7 Knockout Stage kicked off, where every misplay and mistimed engage could spell the end of a title dream. After three relentless days of high-stakes series, the championship picture is already shifting.

With giants crashing out, dark horses still charging forward, and one team etching their name into history as the first Grand Finalist of M7.

M7 Knockout Stage Begins

Day 1 — Opening Matches and Statement Wins

The Knockout Stage began with immediate intensity as eight surviving teams from the Swiss Stage clashed in upper-bracket quarterfinals. Right off the bat, we had the most anticipated rematches in the tournament, Aurora Gaming PH vs Team Liquid.

Everyone thought that Team Liquid would immediately win but Aurora Gaming PH gave them a hard fight and even upset the favorites 2-1.

Aurora Gaming Türkiye then stormed past Yangon Galacticos in a clean 2–0 sweep, showcasing near-flawless rotations and suffocating objective control. On the same side of the bracket, Selangor Red Giants (SRG) opened their campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over Team Spirit. SRG’s macro-focused style paid dividends, as they repeatedly outmaneuvered Spirit around Turtle and Lord fights. Team Spirit has yet to beat SRG in their matchup against them.

The highlight match of the day was the home country showdown between Alter Ego and ONIC. The MPL ID S16 rematch was the last match for Day 1 of Knockouts, which to everyone’s surprise, went to Alter Ego’s way, 2-0, making this the most disappointing run for ONIC by far.

Over the amazing 2025 that ONIC had, they slowly regressed starting with their Swiss Stage run in M7.

Day 1 set the tone for what the M7 Knockout Stage would become — no easy matches, no room for mercy, and zero forgiveness for mistakes.

M7 Knockout Stage Day 2 — Defy Against The Odds

Day 2 delivered the tournament’s most shocking result so far as Aurora Türkiye almost surpassed SRG in a best of 5 series while Aurora Gaming PH clutched a win against hometown heroes Alter Ego.

SRG found themselves pushed into a brutal upper bracket battle against Aurora Gaming Türkiye after putting down Team Spirit in the lowers. In one of the tightest series of the stage so far, SRG scraped through with a narrow 3–2 victory. The Malaysian squad had to dig deep, surviving multiple momentum swings and late-game base defenses to stay alive. This showed Aurora Gaming Türkiye’s capabilities in taking down one of the giants in MLBB Esports too.

On the other hand, Aurora Gaming PH yet again silenced the crowd winning against Alter Ego 3-1, showing why the Philippines is still the strongest region in MLBB. Both MPL regional runner ups tried their hardest to overcome each other, especially Alter Ego, as it will guarantee them a top 3 spot in M7 Knockout Stage.

With that win, SRG and Aurora Gaming PH are one step closer to becoming the world champions this M7.

Day 3 — Upsets and Downfalls

Day 3 proved to be the landmark moment in M7 history.

In the first series of the day, Team Spirit made quick work of Yangon Galacticos with a clean 3-0 sweep, moving on to the next round. Yangon Galacticos tried a few surprise picks in their drafts but Team Spirit already knew how to deal with them since they also use the same pocket heroes for their jungler Oneshot.

They are now poised to face against Alter Ego for their next match to move on to the championship.

The series everyone was waiting for, the Champion vs Champion showdown, Team Liquid Philippines eliminated ONIC Indonesia in a 3–1 series that sent shockwaves and silence through the arena. ONIC, one of the most decorated organizations in MLBB history and a perennial favorite at every international event, saw their M7 journey come to a crushing end.

Liquid’s superior objective setups and disciplined teamfights proved decisive, repeatedly punishing ONIC’s overextensions and draft gambles.

The loss marked a devastating blow to ONIC’s hopes of continuing their M7 run while Team Liquid still continues their journey towards the Golden Road. Their early exit reshaped the championship narrative and reminded everyone that reputation means nothing once the Knockout Stage begins.

In a tense upper-bracket finals, Aurora Gaming PH defeated Selangor Red Giants 3–2 to become the first team to qualify for the M7 Grand Finals. The series was a five-game thriller, featuring dramatic comebacks, clutch Lord steals, and back-and-forth draft adaptations.

Aurora PH’s poise under pressure was the difference maker. Time and again, they found winning engages in chaotic late-game fights, turning near-losing positions into sudden victories. Their synergy and decision-making in do-or-die moments pushed them over the line and into the biggest series of their careers.

With that win, Aurora PH not only secured their place in the Grand Finals, they also cemented themselves as the team to beat at M7.

Still Standing: Team Spirit and Aurora Gaming Türkiye

Despite early setbacks, Team Spirit and Aurora Gaming Türkiye remain in championship contention, both fighting their way through the unforgiving lower bracket. This shows that both regions have caught up to the giants of MLBB Esports, giving the fans an unpredictable outcome this time around.

Team Spirit, known for their explosive mechanical plays and fearless engages, still possess the firepower to upset any opponent on the right day. Meanwhile, Aurora Gaming Türkiye have proven they can go toe-to-toe with top squads, pushing SRG to the brink and showcasing world-class drafting depth.

Neither team has an easy road ahead — but in a Knockout Stage defined by surprises, both remain legitimate threats.

What’s Next for M7

With Aurora PH waiting in the Grand Finals and the lower bracket packed with hungry contenders, the race to the M7 crown is only getting more brutal. Team Liquid’s Golden Road is still intact but will be rocky with a lot of obstacles they have yet to tackle.

From Aurora Gaming PH’s historic run to ONIC Indonesia’s heartbreaking exit, the opening stretch of the Knockout Stage has delivered everything fans could ask for.