PHOTOS: TNC’s Recap and Highlights in MPL PH Season 15
TNC Pro Team’s run in MPL Philippines Season 15 was nothing short of a resurgence story. After enduring a winless campaign in Season 14, the Phoenix finally rose—breaking a long-standing slump, reclaiming their identity, and securing a long-awaited return to the playoffs.
Here, we recap TNC’s regular season performance with photos from ALL-STAR‘s photographer Richard Dizon Esguerra.
Reforging the Roster
In the off-season, TNC took bold steps to rebuild their lineup, choosing experience and chemistry over experimentation. Mainstay Lance “Lancey” Cunanan was joined by Salvick “Kouzen” Toralba, Jhon Marl “Lord JM” Sebastian, and rookie Kyle “Koyl” Reyes.The also organization brought in proven championship-caliber players like M4 World Champion Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera and Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales. They were joined by promising talents including Justine “Zaida” Palma and Frediemar “3MarTzy” Serafico, under the strategic leadership of head coach Douglas “ImbaDeejay” Astibe. With a balance of veterans and rising stars, TNC aimed to rewrite their competitive narrative—and fans were eager to see what this new mix could deliver.
Breaking the Curse
TNC’s season began with a sobering loss to defending champions ONIC PH, extending their losing streak from the previous season. But in Week 2, the narrative changed. With discipline and swagger, TNC pulled off a 2-0 sweep against AP.Bren—ending a 15-match losing skid and earning their first MPL win since Season 13. Zaida’s spotless performance on Suyou and Yawi’s clutch plays on Chou anchored this breakthrough, restoring faith among the Phoenix Army.
Nevertheless, TNC’s win over AP BREN sparked new life into the team. TNC followed up their bounce-back with back-to-back victories over Smart Omega and Twisted Minds, rapidly climbing the standings. The chemistry was evident: Yawi’s sharp initiations and Zaida’s map awareness gave them the edge in tight moments, while Bennyqt’s consistent damage output provided the anchor TNC had long been missing.
But what became the unexpected highlight of Week 2 was Yawi gyrating in front of Twistend Minds’ gold laner Jhonville “Outplayed” Villar, with whom he had an online spat pre-season.
After TNC defeated Twisted Minds 2:1 on Day 3 of Week 2 in MPL PH Season 15, Yawi crossed the stage and danced in front of Outplayed, earning him a penalty from the league. Players are prohibited from crossing the stage during or after the match unless the officials tell them to do so. The rule was put in place to prevent the escalation of tension between players.
Back in the Playoffs
In Week 6, TNC swept Smart Omega and punched their ticket to the MPL PH Season 15 playoffs—ending a five-season absence. For a team that had been written off just months before, this moment was more than just a win—it was a statement. The Phoenix had not only returned, but they were here to fight.
However, the week opened on a somber note as TNC and Omega observed a moment of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Cambodia.
Testing Their Mettle
Late in the season, TNC had the chance to measure themselves against the league’s top dogs. Their match against Team Liquid Philippines may have ended in a loss, but it served as a reminder of how far they still have to go. The clash also carried extra weight, as three of TNC’s starters—Yawi, Zaida, and Bennyqt—faced off against their former squad.
While the result didn’t go in their favor, the grit and growth on display showed that TNC has the potential to shake up the top tier of the league.
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