Aurora Gaming books M8 return, keeps historic title defense alive

MANILA, Philippines — Aurora Gaming PH punched its ticket to the M8 World Championship after surviving defending MPL Philippines champion Team Liquid Philippines, 4-3, in a thrilling lower bracket finals showdown Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Aurora Gaming and Team Liquid Philippines traded momentum throughout the best-of-seven lower bracket finals. The Cavalry drew first blood and took a 2-1 series lead after Games 1 and 3, but the Northern Lights responded with dominant victories in Games 4 and 5 to move within one win of both the Grand Finals and an M8 berth. 

Team Liquid then forced a deciding seventh game with a convincing Game 6 triumph before jumping to an early lead in the winner-take-all finale.

With the series on the line, Team Liquid appeared poised to complete another comeback after building an early advantage behind the efforts of Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno and Dave "Teddy" Viaña. 

Aurora Gaming, however, weathered the pressure and found its opening during a pivotal Lord contest in the 13th minute. Nathanael "Nathzz" Estrologo locked down Nepomuceno, allowing the Northern Lights to secure the objective and complete a wipeout. 

With Team Liquid's players facing lengthy death timers, Aurora Gaming marched down the midlane to clinch the series and end the defending champions' four-peat bid.

The victory sends the Northern Lights back to the M-Series stage for a fourth straight appearance and keeps alive a chance to become the first team in Mobile Legends history to win back-to-back world championships.

It also sets up a rematch with Team Falcons PH, which edged Aurora, 3-2, in the upper bracket finals. 

While both teams are looking to deliver their respective organization's first MPL Philippines title, Aurora hopes to move closer to becoming the first team in MLBB history to successfully defend an M-Series crown by securing the country's top seed in the coming world championship. 

Aurora Gaming PH and Team Falcons Philippines will clash in the MPL Philippines Season 18 Grand Finals on Sunday, October 25 at the same venue.