The term ‘playoffs mode’ has never been truer than now.
The MPL S14 playoffs kicked off with quite the bang as Omega Esports, Blacklist International, Aurora Gaming, and Team Liquid PH fought for survival. All four teams only had one chance to make it to the upper bracket and the results were surprising.
Starting with Omega versus Blacklist, many predicted this to be a lopsided match considering the two teams’ regular season standings. Omega had looked dominant throughout the season and people expected them to keep that form in the playoffs.
Turns out that match was lopsided though not to the team most were expecting. Blacklist took the opening series of the MPL S14 playoffs from Omega 3-0, shocking fans from both sides. After a swift 10-minute victory in game one, Blacklist took that momentum and sent Omega reeling. Omega couldn’t recover in time as they lost their grip in games two and three to sloppy plays and errors. Tragic as the results may be for Omega, this victory has reinvigorated Blacklist, proving that ‘playoffs mode’ Blacklist is not a team to take lightly.
Challengers to the Throne
Next was the clash between newcomers Aurora versus defending MPL champions Team Liquid. Both teams were entering this match with something to prove. For Aurora it was that they deserve to be in contention as a top team in the MPL while for Team Liquid it was they still had what it takes to defend their title.
Unfortunately for Team Liquid that wasn’t the case as after a grueling, full five-game set, they would fall to Aurora. Both teams looked evenly matched throughout the series but in the end Team Liquid’s inconsistencies would be their downfall. It’s been a hard season for the Cavalry and now they’ll have the rest of the offseason to figure out how to get back in form.
Now after proving that their 4-0 regular season record against Team Liquid wasn’t a fluke, Aurora faces their biggest challenge. Blacklist and Aurora now have to face Falcons AP.Bren and Fnatic ONIC PH respectively. Both teams have held the top two spots on the ladder since the start of the season. One is the current world champion team, the other holds the longest winning streak in MPL PH history.
Will the underdogs be able to take down the titans or will the top two continue to reign supreme? We’ll find out as the MPL S14 playoffs runs its course.
Banner photo from MOONTON Games.