MPL PH S16 Playoffs – Days 1 to 3 Recap

The MPL PH S16 Playoffs stage is set and its exploded into action with three days of intense battles! This has set the tone for what could be one of the most competitive playoffs yet.

After a fiercely contested regular season, the top six MLBB teams advanced to the playoffs of MPL Philippines Season 16, with the top two seeds receiving byes into Round 2 of a hybrid-elimination bracket. Day 1–3 of the playoffs brought high stakes, dramatic momentum swings and glimpses of which squads may be ready to battle for the championship.

Day 1: The Play-Ins Pressure

The opening day featured the lower-seeded teams clashing in a brutal single-elimination format. Lose once, and you’re immediately out. With no room for mistakes, every moment, team fight, and hero picks and bans counted.

The first match was Team Falcons against Team Liquid. Repeating their last match in the regular season. Team Falcons fell short, losing with a final score of 1-3.

The highlight of the day came from TNC Pro Team, who proved they weren’t ready to bow out just yet. Facing Twisted Minds, TNC Pro Team displayed remarkable resilience. They rallyed in Game 5 to secure a crucial win. It was a statement performance that reminded everyone that heart and composure can outweigh regular season seeding.

With the MPL PH  S16 Playoffs in its new venue, the Cuneta Astrodome, the atmosphere immediately felt like grand finals day, taking us into a huge day 2.

Day 2: Rising Momentum

Results on Day 2 showed how close the competition is, regardless of their previous seeding. Momentum from Day 1 carried through for the lower seeds, specifically Team Liquid defeating the current world champions ONIC PH, cleanly in a 3-0 fashion.

The top seed Aurora Gaming unexpectedly had a difficult time with 5th seed TNC Pro Team. Aurora almost lost game 5 until their EXP Laner, Edward, stepped up heavily with his crucial initiation. Aurora and Team Liquid moves on to the Upper Finals while TNC and ONIC PH goes down the Lowers. The top seeds found themselves challenged by squads already warmed up and battle-tested.

Day 2 also marked the point where meta-read and flexibility became defining factors. TNC Pro Team specifically gave Aurora Gaming a headache with their constant Lunox picks, TNC’s Mid Laner LanceCy’s signature pick. Teams with deeper hero pools and creative drafting approaches began to stand out in the MPL S16 Playoffs.

Day 3: The Bracket Narrows

By Day 3, one mistake could mean the difference between a deep run and elimination. With the crowd’s energy at its peak. One team moves on to the Grand Finals in the MPL PH S16 Playoffs.

Team Liquid and Aurora Gaming started the day with a match worthy of the pinnacle of MLBB. The first game started with Team Liquid coming in guns blazing but Aurora Gaming managed to hold until the late game, where they punished Team Liquid’s single mistake to comeback from a 10k gold lead. Both teams showcased why they are deserving of the first spot in M7, but Aurora Gaming didn’t falter as the top team of this season, winning 3-1 in favor of them.

The M6 world champions ONIC PH had a hard time against TNC Pro Team with the series going the distance as they were out-drafted multiple times. The final game was a statement that the underdogs can win against titans convincingly, having a final score of 3-2 in favor of TNC.

TNC Pro Team advances to tomorrow’s Lower Finals against Team Liquid, their biggest hurdle yet. Meanwhile, Aurora Gaming is waiting for their final opponent in the Grand Finals on October 26, 2025.