The Northern Lights of Aurora Gaming made a stylish return to the win column, pulling off a 2‑1 come‑from‑behind victory over TNC Pro Team in Week 7 of MPL Philippines Season 18.
Extending their impressive run, Aurora Gaming secured their fourth win in their last five matches while exacting revenge for their previous loss to the Phoenix. The victory also strengthened RORA’s hold on the fourth spot, improving their standing to 7‑5.
The Phoenix Strikes First
TNC set the tone in Game 1, controlling the map and dictating the early team fights. Zaida’s Hirara led the charge with three quick kills. Though RORA struck back in the following minutes, the Phoenix quickly regained control with a four‑man wipe in the final Turtle fight. Past the 11‑minute mark, however, RORA found an answer. Ryota’s Belerick managed to catch three Aurora members, but because he was too deep under the turret, his teammates were unable to follow up immediately. RORA took full advantage, securing three kills.
The fight stayed back‑and‑forth over the next few minutes. TNC briefly regained control by securing the first Lord, but RORA answered back decisively—Domeng and Koyl found two crucial pick‑offs to stop the Phoenix’s siege and force them into a retreat. RORA carried that momentum into the second Lord fight, where they not only secured the objective but also punished three TNC members.
The game, however, turned once again in the siege that followed. Aurora Gaming attempted to break through TNC’s bottom‑lane inhibitor turret, but with their frontliners overextended, Zehn caught them with a massive Golden Hour. That allowed an easy follow‑up for both Ryota and Vinn, resulting in two key pick‑offs for TNC. The Phoenix then hunted down Domeng and eventually closed out the game.
Aurora Gaming Stand Strong
RORA, however, responded fiercely in Game 2. They pressured TNC early and secured two quick kills. They seized control from there and steadily increased their advantage. Aurora then delivered a decisive blow at the first Lord contest after Light’s Khaleed caught Jowm, leading to an immediate pick‑off. Without their primary damage dealer, TNC fell one by one and surrendered the objective.
TNC never recovered as Aurora Gaming finished Game 2 with a commanding 15‑3 kill score and a massive 14,000 gold lead.
Shrugging off the Game 2 blowout, TNC took charge early in the decider. Behind three quick kills from Ryota, the Phoenix dominated the first seven minutes, sweeping all three Turtles and establishing a 5‑1 kill advantage.
However, RORA completely turned the tables at the first Lord contest. Yue’s Zhuxin melted through Ryota’s Carmilla while Koyl’s Paquito powered through with a double kill. Although TNC eventually shut down Koyl, the damage was done, leaving only Jowm standing for the Phoenix.
The Phoenix, however, found an answer at the 11‑minute mark. Despite RORA initially holding the upper hand in the clash, Jowm’s Obsidia changed the fight, withstanding heavy damage from Aurora to claim a triple kill and lead TNC to a crucial five‑man wipeout.
Despite that advantage, Aurora Gaming held their ground, successfully defending their base over the next few minutes. Everything came down to the final Lord fight, where Nathzz’s Atlas landed a huge Fatal Links set while Yue’s Zhuxin provided the damage, claiming a triple kill to power RORA to a game‑winning five‑man wipeout.
