The queens of MLBB remain Indonesia as Team Vitality overpowered Philippine representative Natus Vincere (NAVI) PH, 4-2, in the Grand Finals and captured back-to-back MWI world championships on July 18 in Paris.
The defending champions, Team Vitality, were the heavy favorites in the series after going undefeated in the group stage and eliminating both Russia’s Geltek Cyber Team and 2024 podium-finishers Falcons Vega in the knockouts. But NAVI PH refused to back down, stunning the Indonesian powerhouse by taking a fierce Game 1 win.
NAVI’s exp-laner Gwyneth “Not Ayanami” Diagon, playing Freya, made her presence felt early by securing a triple kill during the first Turtle contest. From there, the Philippine squad took complete control, fending off every Vitality fightback and ballooning their gold lead to as much as 8,000. Diagon earned MVP honors for Game 1, finishing with a flawless 8/0/1 KDA.
Team Vitality Counters NAVI
Team Vitality, however, absorbed the blow and punched right back. Showcasing their mechanical brilliance, they outlasted NAVI in back-to-back thrillers in Games 2 and 3 to take control of the series.
Needing a win, the Philippine squad had to dig deep in Game 4. The Indonesians, however, had other plans, stealing the opening Turtle and picking off two members from NAVI early on. That lackluster start proved costly as Team Vitality maintained the upper hand for most of the match.
Still, the Filipinas stayed within striking distance, slowly but steadily clawing their way back into the contest. The turning point came at the 15-minute mark when NAVI decisively won a crucial team fight and secured the Lord. NAVI’s Jungler, Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto, starred in the skirmish, locking down a massive triple kill.
NAVI Comes Up Short Despite Gallant Stand
The Philippine team immediately unleashed a series of base sieges, but the Indonesians managed to hold the line. The ultimate game-changer arrived past the 17-minute mark: Vival, searching for a play on Ling, made a costly mistake by diving into all five NAVI players in an attempt to eliminate their Gold Laner. She was shut down instantly, giving NAVI the opening they needed to march down and tie the series.
Unshaken by her Game 4 blunder, it was a completely different Vival from there on out. She put on an absolute clinic in the final two games, leading Team Vitality to the championship and securing the MVP honors.
Despite ultimately falling short, NAVI PH concluded a remarkably resilient run, successfully redeeming themselves after last year’s early exit. The Filipinas’ campaign initially got off to a disastrous start, dropping their opening match, 0-2, against Cambodia’s Galaxy Phoenix and falling straight to the lower bracket. With their backs against the wall, they dug deep, surviving two consecutive do-or-die elimination matches just to reach the knockout stage. There, fate set up a rematch against Galaxy Phoenix—and this time, NAVI PH exacted absolute revenge, sweeping the Cambodian squad, 3-0, to punch their ticket to the Grand Finals.
