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| Photo from MPL Philippines |
by Drew Malihan
MANILA – Team Liquid PH (TLPH) had a spectacular MPL Philippines Season 13 campaign, overcoming a two-game losing skid at the end of the regular season and cruising past Falcons AP.Bren in what should have been a closely contested Grand Finals inside the SM Southmall Events Hall.
After a long world tour in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, TLPH returned to the Philippines and faced both success and struggles as the defending champions.
“Fire in the sunrise, ashes rainin’ down.”
Despite starting strong with wins against RSG and TNC in their first two games, The Cavalry began to feel the weight of their crown. They only managed to secure two victories out of their next seven matches, placing them in an unfamiliar position in the standings.
However, they recovered with a four-series win streak, losing only to rivals Falcons AP.Bren in their final five matches. Liquid PH clinched the fifth seed in the regular season—marking one of their worst regular season campaigns since the Karl Gabriel "KarlTzy" era began.
“Try to hold it in, but it keeps bleedin’ out.”
In an interview with All-Star Magazine's Mario Alvaro Limos, TLPH discussed several of the struggles they encountered this season—struggles far from the dominant form they displayed in past seasons.
Benedict "Bennyqt" Gonzales mentioned their lack of consistency and discipline as a major issue, where small mistakes in-game quickly spiraled into bigger disasters, allowing their opponents to capitalize and clinch victories.
Coach Harold "Tictac" Reyes attributed their midseason slump to the challenge of adapting to the meta and dealing with mental fatigue, a reasonable challenge given that their main roster has been on the go since winning the M4 World Championship in January 2023.
"Trying to catch fire"
Bennyqt was the standout player for the team throughout the regular season. He ranked among the top gold laners in both KDA (5.26) and total kills (101), just behind Duane "Kelra" Pillas, who is also having a stellar year.
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| Bennyqt during their match vs. TNC. Photo from MPL Philippines |
This season, Bennyqt showcased 11 unique heroes in 30 matches—a significant upgrade from the seven heroes he used during last season. Notably, he became one of the most proficient Karrie players in the league, winning five out of the six games in which he used the Lone Yasson Warrior.
"'Cause there's no turnin' back this path once it's begun."
Team Liquid PH’s form in their final five matches provided them with a competitive edge heading into the playoffs. However, they face a daunting challenge as they begin their playoff journey against Aurora Gaming—a team that has bested them in their last two series. Aurora convincingly defeated TLPH in all four games, two of which ended before the 12th minute.
The defending champions should wake their old spirits up once more and punch above their supposed weight once more, with the matchup between top-tier mid laners Alston "Sanji" Pabico and Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo and star roamer Renejay "Renejay" Barcase and veteran presence Jaypee "Jaypee" dela Cruz a must-see.
"Heavy is the crown."
In esports, dynasties rise and fall in the blink of an eye. Team Liquid PH, who once reigned supreme, now finds themselves at a crossroads where their reign could be disrupted. The pressure of holding onto their title weighs heavily on their shoulders, a reminder that in competitive ML:BB, the crown can quickly pass from one team to the next.
For TLPH, the journey ahead may be as much about redemption as it is about retaining their legacy, but one thing is clear: the crown they fought so hard to win now hangs in the balance.
Follow him on X: @DMalihan_DPH
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