End of an Era: RRQ, Geek Fam, and Liquid Out of MPL ID S16 Playoffs

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Indonesia (MPL ID) Season 16 regular season has come to an end after nine intense weeks. It will go down as one of the most unforgettable in MPL history. From ONIC Esports’ dominance to the historic playoff absences of Team Liquid ID, Geek Fam ID, and RRQ Hoshi. This season marked the start of a new era in Indonesian MLBB esports. 

Running from late August, MPL ID Season 16 featured a double round-robin Best-of-3 format. Each of the nine franchised teams faced each other twice, with only the top six advancing to playoffs. Every point mattered, and as the weeks progressed, the unthinkable began to unfold where the top contenders began to falter.

End of an Era in MLBB MPL ID S16 Playoffs

ONIC and Bigetron by Vitality Secures Uppers

Once again, ONIC Esports towered above the competition. With the acquisition of one of the legendary players in MPL ID, Skylar, they have strengthened further their grip to the top spot of the Mobile Legends Professional scene in Indonesia. The defending champions closed the regular season with a near-perfect 14-2 match record and a +22 game differential (29-7), only losing to the top 2-3 teams of the league. Led by their star-studded roster, ONIC showcased world-class execution, rarely allowing opponents any breathing room.

Right behind them stood Bigetron by Vitality, who strided back into title contention with an impressive 12-4 finish and +11 differential (25-14). With their unorthodox Gold Lane picks for Emann and improved synergistic teamfighting, BTR re-established themselves as a genuine threat to ONIC’s throne.

Both ONIC Esports and Bigetron by Vitality earned automatic upper-bracket playoffs spots, rewarding their consistent performance across the nine-week stretch.

Mayhem in the Middle of the Pack

Beneath the two frontrunners, the battle for the remaining playoff spots was razor-thin. Alter Ego secured third place at 9-7 even winning against the current top team, ONIC, in their last match. Meanwhile EVOS Glory and Dewa United Esports both ended 8-8, separated only by differentials of +1 and -1 respectively. Natus Vincere Indonesia (NAVI ID) narrowly clinched the final playoff seat at 6-10 with -6 point differential in their final game, eliminating RRQ Hoshi in the playoffs contention with a single game win during the last match of MPL ID S16.

The margin for error was microscopic, but for three legendary teams, it wasn’t enough.

Historic Collapse: RRQ Hoshi, Geek Fam ID, and Team Liquid ID Fall Short

For the first time in MPL ID history, RRQ Hoshi, Geek Fam ID, and Team Liquid ID all failed to reach the playoffs, a shocking outcome considering their long-standing reputations as constant title contenders for Indonesia.

RRQ Hoshi, a former MPL champion and consistent top-four finisher since the league’s inception, stumbled to a 6-10 record with a -7 point differential, one point away from Navi. Despite flashes of vintage brilliance from Lemon and Skylar, the team’s inconsistency and mid-game decision-making proved costly.

Team Liquid ID suffered their worst campaign yet, ending 4-12 (13-26 in games). Their chemistry never clicked, and an 0-11 lose streak start doomed their playoff hopes early.

Geek Fam ID finished 5-11, also missing playoffs for the first time. Known for their scrappy, creative playstyle in past seasons, they struggled to adapt with their new roster as well as to evolving metas and were punished by more disciplined opponents.

Collectively, these three franchises, once staples of the MPL ID top four, now find themselves watching the postseason from the sidelines, underscoring how fierce and unpredictable the competition has become.

Playoffs Stage is Set

With the regular season over, the playoff picture is set: ONIC Esports and Bigetron by Vitality command the upper bracket, while Alter Ego, EVOS Glory, Dewa United, and NAVI ID battle for Play-ins on the first day.

The fall of Indonesia’s historic titans marks a turning point for MPL ID. Once low ranking teams starting to rise up to the challenge of the peak. As the playoffs begin, one question still remains: can anyone stop ONIC, or are we witnessing the start of another golden dynasty?