Team Falcons Become the First PH Reps at the M8 World Championship
Team Falcons PH punched its ticket to the MPL Philippines Season 18 Grand Finals after surviving a five-game thriller against Aurora Gaming PH, securing a 3-2 victory and becoming the first Philippine team to qualify for the M8 World Championship in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The victory puts the Green Falcons in position to make back-to-back Grand Finals appearances as they seek to finally claim the MPL Philippines championship after falling short last season. They will also carry the country’s hopes of extending its six-title M-Series championship streak into the next world championship.
Game 1: Neck and Neck
Game 1 was a back-and-forth affair, with Team Falcons and Aurora trading blows in team fights and contesting objectives as neither side was willing to back down.
Nathzz’s Barats locked down Kyle’s Hirara during the 2:40 Turtle fight, allowing Koyl’s Aulus to secure the objective. Hadji’s Eudora answered by taking down Yue’s Zetian and Light’s Marcel, helping Team Falcons win the exchange two-for-none and establish a 4-1 kill lead.
Hadji continued to wreak havoc during the second Turtle clash, diving into Aurora’s backline with a three-skill combo before using Flicker to take down Domeng’s Kimmy and finish off Light’s Marcel for a double kill.
Aurora began gaining momentum before Team Falcons wrested it back. Kyle’s Hirara then secured a triple kill during the 10:37 top-lane skirmish, while Flap’s Carmilla caught two Aurora members in her Curse of Blood ultimate.
Despite Falcons building a 7,000-gold lead, Aurora chipped away at the deficit, cutting it to 3,400 before finding its opening in the 17:36 clash. Light’s Marcel caught four Falcons members with Golden Hour, allowing Domeng’s Kimmy to follow up with a triple kill in the mid-lane jungle.
Aurora capitalized on the wipeout to secure the Lord and push toward Falcons’ base, with Yue’s Zetian leading the charge with a double kill.
Domeng turned things around after a difficult early game, guiding Aurora to the opening win of the series against Falcons with an 8-5-1 KDA
Game 2: Falcons’ Epic Comeback
Aurora carried its momentum into Game 2, with Koyl’s Hirara stealing the spotlight by securing a Savage at the 9:36 mark. Yue’s Zetian also unleashed a timely Fury of the Phoenix during the Lord contest to help Aurora maintain control.
Aurora appeared poised to take a 2-0 series lead, but Team Falcons found its opening during the 12:58 Lord fight. With Koyl’s Hirara and Light’s Masha knocked up, SuperMarco’s Esmeralda stepped up to steal the Lord and secure a double kill.
The momentum swing allowed Falcons to run down Aurora in the top-lane jungle, leaving only Yue to defend the base.
SuperMarco stepped up big time in Team Falcons’ greatest time of need, delivering a commendable 4-2-4 KDA performance as the Green Falcons leveled the series.
Game 3: Aurora Moves One Win Away
Aurora regained control in Game 3, overcoming Team Falcons despite the Green Falcons holding the advantage in gold and map control. A crucial Lord steal by Koyl’s Hirara at the 14-minute mark, followed by a double kill, proved decisive in swinging the game Aurora’s way.
Yue’s Yve also played a pivotal role, laying down Real World Manipulation to support Aurora’s fight for control. He finished with a flawless 4-0-8 KDA as the Northern Lights took a 2-1 series lead and moved within one win of the Grand Finals and an M8 berth.
Game 4: Falcons Refuse to Back Down
With their Grand Finals and M8 hopes on the line, Team Falcons forced a deciding Game 5, denying Aurora the opportunity to close out the series.
Aurora looked poised to secure the series, but Falcons remained patient and waited for the right opportunity to turn the tide. SuperMarco’s Cici delivered a double kill during a mid-lane clash at 21:55, paving the way for Kyle’s Nolan to secure the Lord uncontested.
Aurora continued to put up a valiant defense, but Falcons found another opening during the 26:03 Lord clash when Domeng’s Esmeralda was caught defending the bottom lane. The Green Falcons capitalized on the resulting four-versus-five situation to pressure Aurora and take down its remaining defenders.
SuperMarco flexed his marksmanship with Cici, delivering a stellar 8-1-8 KDA performance as Falcons forced the series to a winner-take-all fifth game.
Game 5: Falcons Punch Their Ticket
With everything on the line, Team Falcons came out firing in the deciding game, establishing a deathless 5-0 lead beyond the seven-minute mark before Koyl’s Aulus picked off Owgwen’s Kalea during a bottom-lane clash.
The Green Falcons maintained their composure and eventually sealed the series during an 11:38 mid-lane siege. Flap’s Hylos laid down Glorious Pathway to initiate the final push, setting up SuperMarco’s Cici to secure a double kill and clear the way for Falcons to close out the game.
The 3-2 victory secured Team Falcons PH’s place in the MPL Philippines Season 18 Grand Finals and made them the first Philippine team to qualify for the M8 World Championship. After falling short of the title last season, the Green Falcons now have another shot at the MPL crown while carrying the Philippines’ hopes of extending its M-Series championship streak.
