via Marielle Justeene P. Pacong
Team Liquid PH unleashed a commanding 3–0 sweep over ONIC Philippines, completely outclassing their opponents in every lane and team fight in the Match 1 games to advance to the Upper Bracket Finals of the MPL Philippines Season 16 Playoffs, Day 2.
The opening game set the tone as KarlTzy’s Yi Sun-Shin immediately drew first blood against Superfrince’s Kimmy at the 00:55 mark, then chased down Kirk’s Granger for a quick 2–0 lead.
ONIC tried to rally as Superfrince notched their first kill by taking down Oheb’s Harith at 07:25, with Kelra’s Cici following up for their second kill at 11:26, but the blue wave finished Game 1 with authority at 14:05, 10–3.
Eager to take revenge in Game 2, ONIC came out firing as Brusko’s Gatotkaca took down KarlTzy’s Lancelot at 02:20, followed by Kingkong’s Yi Sun-Shin eliminating Sanford’s Yu Zhong at 02:33. However, with another Lord secured at 09:37, KarlTzy crushed Kingkong, while Sanford struck Kelra and Oheb cleaned up Kirk, leaving ONIC’s base defenseless at 10:55, 11–3.
In the third game, KarlTzy’s Lancelot claimed the Turtle early at 02:09, but ONIC’s Brusko (Baxia) countered by taking down Jaypee’s Gatotkaca at 02:16. Mid-game, Kingkong’s Yi Sun-Shin managed to strike KarlTzy, but the Liquid star held firm, taking another Turtle at 06:53 while Kingkong narrowly escaped his blade, 5–4.
TLPH then regrouped for a final push, with KarlTzy tearing through Brusko and Kingkong to dismantle ONIC’s frontline. The blue wave stormed the base at 22:07, locking in the 3–0 sweep to advance to the Upper Bracket Finals, while ONIC fell to the lower bracket, 11–6.
Leading the charge, KarlTzy and Sanford shone as the series’ MVPs. KarlTzy’s Yi Sun-Shin 7/0/3 and Lancelot 5/1/5 KDA performances showcased his lethal precision, while Sanford’s Yu Zhong 1/1/6 KDA mastery provided the backbone of Team Liquid’s control and dominance.
“Wala po… ano po… nagfo-focus lang kami sa kung sino ‘yung kalaban,” shared KarlTzy when asked about the ‘ritual’ they used in sealing their victory.
Team Liquid PH now surges forward to the Upper Bracket Finals, leaving no doubt that the tide is theirs to command. Their teamwork fluid, their strategy lethal— when the waves rise, no one survives the flood.
