Team Liquid pulls off historic MPL Philippines three-peat
MANILA, Philippines — Team Liquid Philippines etched its name in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang history after holding off Team Falcons PH, 4-2, in the grand finals of MPL Philippines Season 17 on Sunday at the San Juan Arena.
The victory marked the league’s first-ever three-peat, as the Cavalry secured their third straight MPL PH title behind a composed performance in a back-and-forth championship series.
Team Liquid entered the grand finals riding an undefeated playoff run, sweeping Smart Omega, 3-0, before besting ONIC Philippines, 3-1, in the upper bracket finals to clinch a spot in the championship round and secure its ticket to the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris, where it will defend its Mobile Legends Mid-Season Cup (MSC) title.
Team Falcons, meanwhile, took the longer route in the lower bracket.
After absorbing a 0-3 sweep at the hands of ONIC Philippines in the upper bracket, the Falcons bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Smart Omega before avenging their earlier loss with a 4-2 win against ONIC Philippines to book the final EWC slot and a rematch against Team Liquid.
In the grand finals, Team Liquid looked poised for a dominant finish early, racing to a 2-0 series lead.
But Team Falcons responded with two straight wins of their own to force a 2-2 deadlock and swing the momentum in their favor.
With the series hanging in the balance, Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya took control in Game 5, delivering an 8-0-2 performance on Paquito to power Team Liquid to a dominant 13-2 win in just 10 minutes and move to match point.
Team Falcons put up a fight in Game 6, but rookie gold laner Dave “Teddy” Viaña stepped up in the closing moments.
Viaña dazzled on the hero Claude, helping secure a five-man wipeout against Falcons to crack open the base. In the ensuing team fight during the Lord clash, the rookie goldlaner secured key pick-offs to give the Cavalry the numbers and gold advantage, which prompted Team Liquid to push through the base to seal the series and the championship.
It was the first MPL title for Viaña, while Vinuya and midlaner Alston “Sanji” Pabico claimed their fifth championships. Veterans Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno and Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, meanwhile, secured their sixth titles to extend their record as the league’s winningest players.
For the organization, it was the fourth MPL Philippines trophy, capping off a season that began with doubts surrounding its roster after struggling to lock in a gold laner.
"Nandyan naman lagi [yung struggles] but as long as I have my four loyal players, they also reassure me na kaya nila. And, blessing in disguise, everything happens for a reason. Teddy came. Maraming struggles nangyari at that time, problema. But these players and coaches — call me a glazer — they're so good, so hardworking. Double effort. They're really working hard for them to win. Itong mga ito, I'm so happy that they stick together. Yung chemistry nila, iisa lang. And yung friendship, and [yung sense of a family], talagang pinapahalagahan nila. They really trust Aeon and Snap," said Team Liquid head of esports Mitch Liwanag.
Both Team Falcons PH and Team Liquid Philippines will represent the country in the Mobile Legends Mid-Season Cup, set to be held in Paris as part of the Esports World Cup in July.
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