The Northern Lights of Aurora Gaming continue to shine brighter, bringing down the top‑seeded Team Liquid in Week 5 of MPL Philippines Season 18.
The tables were completely turned from their first meeting in Week 2, when Team Liquid dominated the Northern Lights, 2‑0. This time, RORA returned the favor, delivering a clean sweep of their own and stopping Team Liquid’s seven‑game winning streak in emphatic fashion.
Aurora Gaming Stuns Team Liquid
TLPH opened Game 1 on the front foot. When Aurora Gaming pounced on Sanford during the second turtle fight, he managed to stay alive long enough to give his team the opening to punish three members from RORA. Past the nine‑minute mark, Team Liquid struck again, with KarlTzy and Jaypee picking up two quick kills on Koyl and Light. By the 12‑minute mark, they were in full control, dictating the map while holding a 7‑2 kill score and 4000‑gold advantage.
The turning point came during the Lord fight near the 15‑minute mark. Koyl and Yue punished a misposition from KarlTzy, dealing massive damage to his Hirara. While he attempted to escape, Nathzz was there to finish him off.
Despite losing their jungler, Team Liquid fought back valiantly. While Koyl secured the Lord for Aurora, Sanji immediately retaliated, taking the jungler out and claiming two more kills. Though he was shut down eventually by Light, Team Liquid still pulled through on that team fight.
But Aurora Gaming quickly regained control. As Karl positioned to stop the Lord push, Light set up a brilliant conceal play, catching him completely by surprise and taking him out. That gave RORA the opening to march straight into Team Liquid’s base and complete the comeback win.
Unlike in the opener, the Northern Lights dictated the fight early in Game 2. At the five‑minute mark, they outclassed Team Liquid during the Turtle fight, securing the objective along with two kills. By the seven‑minute mark, Aurora’s firepower was fully on display—Koyl spotted Karl in his own jungle and unleashed massive damage before Nathzz once again stepped in to close out the kill. From there, Aurora never looked back.
Koyl and Aurora Serve Notice to the League
RORA delivered the final blow during the 13‑minute base siege. Koyl delivered again, scoring an instant pickoff on Teddy before following it with a kill on Karl to close out the win. It was a masterclass for Aurora, as they kept Team Liquid scoreless while holding a massive 11,000‑gold advantage.
From going winless in the first two weeks of the tournament, Aurora Gaming has completely flipped the script, winning five of their last six matches, including sweeping all four games against Omega to rise to the fourth spot in the standings. Back in their top form, the Northern Lights are reminding the league what the defending world champions are truly capable of.
