The seasonal Mobile Legends Competition has come to an end, crowning FNATIC ONIC PHILIPPINES (FNOP) as the ultimate victor for the Philippines. The MPL PH Season 14 is the qualifier for the MLBB M6 World Championships, the top 2 finalists for MPL PH S14 will automatically qualify to the Worlds. Taking the other M6 slot is AURORA MLBB (RORA) as they fought to the bitter end but coming up short to FNOP.
The first day of the playoffs was truly heartbreaking as we said goodbye to two strong teams, regular season performance stunner, OMEGA ESPORTS (OMG) and MPL PH S13 champions TEAM LIQUID PHILIPPINES (TLPH) [formerly Liquid Echo]. OMG faced BLACKLIST INTERNATIONAL (BLCK) in Match 1 resulting in a 3-0 sweep in a best of 5 series. Even though OMG performed splendidly in the regular season, BLCK’s famed playoffs form and their hunger to win ultimately extended their playoffs journey while ending OMG’s season. The second match felt like an all out war as the Northern Lights faced the Cavalry resulting in a crushing 3-2 battle royale with RORA coming out on top, eliminating the reigning champions early in the playoffs. The Green Sun Hotel was flooded by turquoise, the official jersey color of Aurora MLBB as Auroras came out in full support to cheer for their favorite team.
Auroras Celebrating their win
Fire was not put out on the second day as each team’s thirst for victory continued to surge. Double eliminations were in play during this stage of the playoffs, as teams fought to be in the Upper Bracket. Match one pitted FALCONS AP BREN (FCAP) and Blacklist International against each other. Once again, BLCK showed their playoffs stance as they faced FCAP for the upper bracket qualifier. However, BLCK’s strategy fell short as the M5 champions still took the 1st upper bracket slot. RORA comes back to face the victors of the regular season, Fnatic ONIC Philippines. With an impressive 13 wins and only 1 loss in the regular season, FNOP is a force to reckon with. FNOP, ending the 1st game abruptly in 9 mins 34 seconds beating their own record against TLPH in the week 8 of the regular season as the fastest game in MPL PH history. FNOP sealed the deal as they swept the match in a 3-0 score sending RORA to the lower bracket.
Upper bracket Finals started off day three, with FCAP and FNOP fighting for the first Finals place. Both teams fought in a best of 5 series with a crushing result for FCAP, sending them to the lower bracket finals. With this win, FNOP sits comfortably in the Grand Finals and becomes the first Philippine representative for M6.
The second match for day 3 is between the darlings of this season, RORA and BLCK. This match is the dream match of any Agent/Aurora because old teammates faced each other in attempts of facing M5 Champions FCAP in the lower bracket finals. The newly minted team RORA proved that they may have changed their name, but they are still the same players who can go toe to toe with champions. With a swift sweep of 3-0, Blacklist International’s season 14 journey has ended, RORA moves onto the Lower Bracket Finals.
Day four was witness to heightened emotions and intense faceoffs as the match between RORA and FCAP is the deciding factor on who will be the second representative for M6 alongside FNOP. The M5 champions did not make it an easy win for Aurora as they put on their power stance to face the new team, however Aurora is just too hot to handle this series as they ended FCAP’s season 14 journey in a 4-2 series. The reigning M5 champions will not represent the Philippines in the upcoming M6 in Malaysia as RORA powered through with their impeccable team fight and team strategy this season. The Lower Bracket Finals resulted in a 3-1 score. In a post match interview, when asked what changed in FCAP’s dynamics this season, Coach Ducky replied that there are many factors that are in play, there is no definite reason as to why their dynamics have changed. With teams hungry for victory, it all boils down to who adapts to the current meta faster.
The Dawn of A New Era has begun as we have two completely new teams to cheer this coming M6, the household names will no longer be chanted on the world stage, cheers for Fnatic ONIC PH and Aurora MLBB will replace these cries for victory. But world celebration aside, the strongest in the Philippines is still yet to be determined. Facing off for Philippine dominance are the star team this season, Fnatic ONIC Philippines and the darling team of this season, Aurora MLBB. In a heated best of seven series, both teams left no space for error. FNOP fans thought that they’ve got it in the bag as they took the upper hand with a 3-1 score in game 5, however, RORA proved that the light is still strong within as they took the next two wins, making the playing field even. But FNOP’s dominance still prevailed as they raised the trophy taking the MPL PH Season 14 Champion title in an all out 4-3 win. The Gold Standard, Grant “Kelra” Pillas is declared as the Finals MVP, This win is Kelra’s Birth Right, Coach Ducky says in an interview. The MPL PH Season 14 Champion takes home the Lion’s share of the USD 150,000 Prize Pool.
We will witness Fnatic ONIC PH and Aurora MLBB in battle again in the M6 World Championship happening in Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia from November 21 – December 15, 2024. You can catch the live broadcast for M6 on Mobile Legends Bang Bang’s Official Social Pages.
See you there!
(All photos courtesy of MPL PH)