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Tag: MSC 2026

  • Far from home, Filipino imports Kelra and Kairi deliver podium finish for ONIC Indonesia 

    Far from home, Filipino imports Kelra and Kairi deliver podium finish for ONIC Indonesia 

    The Philippines may have fallen short of another MLBB Mid-Season Cup championship, but Filipino excellence still found its way onto the podium—this time through two players wearing different colors.


    Grant Duane “Kelra” Pillas and Kairi Rayosdelsol once again showcased why Filipino players remain among the world’s best as they powered ONIC Indonesia to a commanding 3-0 sweep of Team Falcons PH in the battle for third place. 

     

    The victory secured a podium finish for the Indonesian squad and ensured that Filipino representation remained alive in the tournament despite the struggles of the country’s own teams.

     

    For Kelra and Kairi, however, the medal came with a familiar sacrifice: succeeding overseas while being separated from the people who matter most.

     

    In his first season with ONIC Indonesia, Kelra admitted that the hardest part of playing abroad is being away from his partner, Yang, and their son, Slake. While competing at the Esports World Cup (EWC), he said his schedule leaves little time for family conversations.

     

    “Malungkot para sa akin, pero kailangan eh. Nakakausap ko naman sila kapag may free time ako, pero ngayong nasa EWC ako madalang kasi focus muna ako dito.”

     

    Kelra made sure the sacrifice translated into results. He dominated Game 1 with Granger, posting an impressive 9/0/4 KDA to give ONIC Indonesia an early edge in the series before the team completed the sweep.

     

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    Kairi, now a veteran after spending nine seasons with ONIC Indonesia, said life overseas has become something he has learned to live with. Even so, he admitted that missing his family—especially his parents—never truly goes away.

     

    “Medyo nasanay na din po ako pero hindi naman mawawala yung pagkamiss sa pamilya, lalo na sa magulang. Every time naman na may kaganapan sa buhay ko andiyan sila. Ang iniisip ko na lang palagi na para sa pamilya ko ito and sa future ko.”

     

    The veteran jungler delivered one of the defining performances of the series in Game 3. Using Hirara, Kairi finished with an outstanding 11/0/3 statline and produced a decisive triple kill during the pivotal 10-minute Lord fight to seal ONIC Indonesia’s 3-0 victory over Team Falcons PH.

     

    The result marked a significant step forward for ONIC Indonesia, which improved on last year’s MLBB Mid-Season Cup campaign after missing out on a podium finish when it was eliminated by ONIC Philippines.

     

    This year, however, the tournament unfolded differently for the Philippine representatives. Defending champions Team Liquid PH were knocked out early in the knockout stage, while Team Falcons PH battled their way into the race for third place but were ultimately swept by an ONIC Indonesia squad anchored by two Filipino imports.

     

    Although Philippine teams were unable to repeat their dominance from the previous edition, Filipino players still left their mark on the international stage. 

     

    Through Kelra and Kairi, the country’s presence was still felt on the podium, serving as another reminder that Filipino talent continues to thrive—even when success comes while wearing another nation’s jersey.

     

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  • Team Falcons PH bows out as Philippines misses MSC podium for first time since 2019 

    Team Falcons PH bows out as Philippines misses MSC podium for first time since 2019 

    For years, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup has been a stage where the Philippines almost always found itself playing for a championship—or at the very least, standing on the podium.


    That streak came to a halt in Paris as the country’s lone representative in MSC 2026, Team Falcons PH saw its campaign end with a fourth-place finish after falling short in both the semifinals and the third-place match.

     

    It marks the first time since 2019 that no Philippine team finished on the tournament podium. The Filipinos came within one game of reaching the grand finals after pushing Myanmar’s Yangon Galacticos to a winner-take-all Game 5 in the semifinals.

     

    The defeat denied the Philippines another appearance in the MSC Grand Finals and simultaneously sent Yangon Galacticos to its first international championship match since the M2 World Championship in 2021.

     

    Team Falcons PH still had one more opportunity to leave Paris with a medal, but Indonesia’s ONIC ID proved too much to handle. 

     

    The Indonesians completed a convincing 3-0 sweep in the battle for third place, leaving the Filipino squad to settle for fourth overall.

     

    While the result fell short of the country’s lofty standards, Team Falcons PH remained one of the tournament’s strongest teams after surviving a highly competitive field just to reach the final weekend of the MSC.

     

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    The tournament also signaled a changing of the guard on the international stage as Team Spirit, representing Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), completed one of the biggest breakthroughs in Mobile Legends history by defeating Yangon Galacticos, 4-3, in a thrilling seven-game grand finals to become the first champion from outside Southeast Asia.

     

    Their victory finally ended Southeast Asia’s dominance of the MSC. Since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2017, every champion had come from either the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Thailand, making Team Spirit’s triumph a historic breakthrough for the global MLBB scene.

     

    The 2026 edition also underscored the growing parity in international competition. Defending MSC champions Team Liquid Philippines and 2024 champions Selangor Red Giants were both eliminated in the group stage, while emerging regions continued to challenge the traditional powerhouses throughout the tournament.

     

    For the Philippines, the fourth-place finish also snapped a remarkable streak of grand final appearances. After the last all-Indonesian MSC final in 2019, Filipino teams reached every championship series—Execration and Blacklist International contested an all-PH final in 2021, RSG Philippines won the title in 2022, Blacklist International finished runner-up to ONIC Esports in 2023, and Team Falcons PH claimed second place behind Selangor Red Giants in 2024.

     

    Although this year’s campaign ended without a medal, Team Falcons PH once again proved it belonged among the world’s elite. 

     

    Reaching the tournament’s final four in an increasingly competitive international field showed that while the Philippines may have relinquished its place atop the podium this time, it remains one of Mobile Legends’ premier regions heading into the next global championship.

     

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  • Team Falcons PH completes redemption, eliminates Team Vitality to reach MSC semifinals 

    Team Falcons PH completes redemption, eliminates Team Vitality to reach MSC semifinals 

    That opportunity arrived for Team Falcons PH on Wednesday in Paris, and the lone remaining Philippine representative made sure history would not repeat itself, knocking out Team Vitality with a convincing 3-1 victory in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup (MSC) quarterfinals.


    Just days after Vitality sent them to the lower bracket during the group stage, Team Falcons returned with sharper execution, better composure, and timely hero picks to finally settle the score and keep the country’s championship hopes alive.

     

    Veteran midlaner Salic “Hadji” Imam dictated the pace early, showcasing his trademark Selena in the opening two games to help Team Falcons seize control of the series. 

     

    But Team Vitality refused to fold, riding Dylont “Shogun” Huraihira’s disruptive Barats and Filipino import Eman “EMANN” Sangco’s Paquito to steal Game 2 and even the series at one game apiece.

     

    Game 3 became the turning point as Shogun’s Barats once again wreaked havoc, pulling off a Flicker-Detona’s Welcome combo that caught Team Falcons jungler Michael “Kyle” Sayson on his Fanny in the 11th minute. Instead of unraveling, Falcons responded with discipline. 

     

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    Kyle secured a crucial Lord objective before Hadji’s perfectly timed Feathered Air Strike on Pharsa eliminated Marcel “Moreno” Sinulingga’s Eudora and EMANN’s Claude, allowing Team Falcons to march straight to the enemy base and grab a 2-1 series lead.

     

    With match point on the line, Team Falcons surprised everyone in Game 4 by handing Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano the Hanabi pick. 

     

    The gamble appeared risky after he struggled through the laning phase, but the gold laner flipped the narrative when it mattered most. 

     

    Super Marco ignited the first Lord fight with a three-hero wipeout before delivering a decisive late double kill that opened the path for the game-ending push.

     

    Kyle emerged as the Star of the Day after stuffing the stat sheet with 16 kills, a 4.14 KDA, and an impressive 54.41 percent Kill Participation, providing the steady presence Team Falcons needed throughout the series.

     

    More importantly, the victory erased the sting of their earlier defeat to Team Vitality. After surviving the lower bracket, Team Falcons completed its redemption arc by eliminating the same squad that had previously knocked them down, extending the Philippines’ hopes of another international MLBB title.

     

    The victory also booked Team Falcons PH a semifinal showdown against Myanmar’s Yangon Galacticos, who advanced after defeating Cambodia’s PRO Esports in the other quarterfinal. 

     

    The MSC 2026 knockout stage features a single-elimination format, with the semifinals scheduled for July 31 before the grand final on August 1 in Paris.

     

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  • Team Falcons PH set for redemption match against Team Vitality in MSC 2026 quarterfinals 

    Team Falcons PH set for redemption match against Team Vitality in MSC 2026 quarterfinals 

    Team Falcons PH is getting another chance to settle unfinished business at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup (MSC) 2026 after securing a spot in the knockout quarterfinals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Team Falcons MENA on Sunday in Paris.


    Waiting for the Philippine representatives is familiar rival Team Vitality, the Indonesian champion that previously sent Falcons PH to the lower bracket. This time, however, the stakes are higher as Falcons PH looks to turn a painful early defeat into a statement comeback.

     

    The rematch is set for Wednesday, July 29, at 8:30 PM, where Team Falcons PH will attempt to rewrite the outcome of their first encounter and continue their push toward the MSC 2026 championship.

     

    Falcons PH entered their first meeting with Team Vitality carrying confidence after sweeping Guangzhou Gaming in their opening match. However, the Indonesian squad quickly changed the direction of the series after surviving a tense Game 1 battle and stealing momentum through a crucial late-game turnaround.

     

    The turning point came during an extended second Lord clash when Team Vitality picked off four Falcons PH heroes, allowing the Indonesians to seize control of the map. Although the Filipinos managed to withstand the initial Lord pressure, Vitality kept applying pressure.

     

    Jungler Manuel “Nnael” Simbolon delivered the decisive plays, securing the third Lord through a clutch Retribution against Hirara before exploding for a triple kill in the following team fight. With Falcons PH unable to mount a defense, Team Vitality completed the comeback and took Game 1.

     

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    The Indonesian champions continued their aggressive approach in Game 2, eventually breaking through Falcons PH’s defenses with a base invasion at the 17th minute. The Filipinos fought desperately to stay alive, but a late pick-off on Owgwen’s Akai removed their main frontline and opened the path for Team Vitality to close out the series.

     

    Team Vitality entered MSC 2026 as one of the tournament favorites after dominating the MPL Indonesia Season 17 playoffs and claiming the championship title. 

     

    But Falcons PH showed that their lower bracket run is far from over. Against Team Falcons MENA, the Filipinos regained their rhythm and displayed stronger coordination, controlling the series from start to finish.

     

    Kyle “Hirara” delivered one of the standout moments of the match, producing a highlight-worthy Maniac during the final base siege. His impressive performance capped off the sweep with a 7-2-5 KDA, helping Falcons PH eliminate their sister organization and secure another shot at the Indonesian powerhouse.

     

    The upcoming quarterfinal clash will test whether Falcons PH can make the necessary adjustments after their first encounter with Team Vitality. With elimination now on the line, the Filipino squad will need to rely on its late-game composure and improved teamwork to extend its MSC 2026 campaign.

     

    For Falcons PH, the quarterfinal rematch represents more than just another playoff series—it is an opportunity to prove they have evolved since their first meeting with Team Vitality.

     

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  • Team Falcons PH keeps title hopes alive as Team Liquid PH exits MSC 2026 

    Team Falcons PH keeps title hopes alive as Team Liquid PH exits MSC 2026 

    With one Philippine contender already out of the race, Team Falcons PH made sure the country’s campaign at the 2026 MLBB Mid-Season Cup would continue.


    Facing elimination in the lower bracket, the MPL Philippines squad delivered when it mattered most, sweeping Team Falcons MENA, 2-0, on Sunday in Paris, France, to book the country’s lone spot in the knockout stage and keep its championship aspirations alive.

     

    The victory came just hours after defending champion Team Liquid PH suffered a stunning early exit, leaving Team Falcons PH with the responsibility of carrying the Philippine banner for the remainder of the tournament.

     

    A familiar face played a pivotal role in the turnaround. Returning to the international stage for the first time since representing Blacklist International at the M4 World Championship in 2024, Mildaner Salic “Hadji” Imam wasted no time making his presence felt. 

     

    Piloting Selena in Game 1, Hadji orchestrated an explosive 3-0 start that gave Team Falcons PH early momentum and dictated the pace of the match.

     

    Despite the fast opening, the Filipinos remained disciplined throughout the contest, methodically controlling objectives before jungler Michael “Kyle” Sayson secured an uncontested Lord in the 16th minute. The crucial objective cracked open Team Falcons MENA’s defenses and paved the way for Team Falcons PH to take the opening game.

     

    Kyle once again rose to the occasion in Game 2. Using Hirara, the jungler claimed another game-changing Lord before the 14-minute mark before taking over the decisive clash. 

     

    Kyle wiped out Team Falcons MENA almost single-handedly, completing a Maniac to seal the sweep and punch Team Falcons PH’s ticket to the playoffs.

     

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    The victory sets up an immediate opportunity for revenge. Team Falcons PH will face Indonesian powerhouse Team Vitality in the knockout quarterfinals after previously falling 2-0 to the MPL Indonesia Season 17 champions in the upper bracket semifinals—a defeat that sent the Filipinos into the lower bracket in the first place.

     

    The remaining quarterfinal pairings feature Aurora Turkiye against Onic Indonesia, while Team Vamos battles Team Spirit and Pro Esports squares off with Yangon Galacticos.

     

    While Team Falcons PH celebrated survival, the tournament came to a disappointing end for Team Liquid PH.

     

    The reigning champions were eliminated after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Peru’s Entity 7 on Sunday, marking the earliest exit ever by a Philippine representative since the competition began as the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup in 2017.

     

    Team Liquid PH looked poised to force a deciding game after controlling the early stages, but momentum shifted dramatically following a seventh-minute midlane skirmish where Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno’s Hirara and Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz’s Hilda were picked off.

     

    Entity 7 capitalized on the opening and never looked back. Another double kill involving Jaypee and Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya’s Barats widened the gap before the Peruvian squad closed out the deciding game with a 12-8 victory to eliminate the defending champions.

     

    The result consigned Team Liquid PH to a 13th-16th place finish—the worst performance by any Philippine team in either of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s two S-tier international tournaments. 

     

    That disappointing campaign has now placed even greater importance on Team Falcons PH, which enters the playoffs as the country’s last hope of reclaiming the MSC crown.

     

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  • Team Liquid PH pushed to brink after opening loss in MSC 2026

    The Philippines’ campaign at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup (MSC) 2026 has already split into two contrasting storylines.


    While Team Falcons PH wasted little time asserting itself as a championship contender, defending champion Team Liquid PH suddenly finds its title defense hanging by a thread after a stunning opening-series defeat.

     

    Team Liquid entered the tournament carrying the confidence of last year’s dominant championship run, but Aurora Gaming quickly turned that narrative upside down with a convincing 2-0 victory that pushed the MPL Philippines Season 17 champions into the Group B Lower Bracket Quarterfinals.

     

    Aurora seized control from the opening game through a draft built around sustain and objective control. 

     

    Rosa piloted a mid-lane Rafaela against Alston “Sanji” Pabico’s Eudora, and the strategy paid immediate dividends as the Turkish squad claimed all three Turtle objectives while overwhelming Team Liquid with an 18-1 kill advantage en route to a swift nine-minute victory.

     

    The opening defeat exposed Team Liquid’s difficulty in breaking through Aurora’s composition, putting Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno and company on the back foot for the remainder of the series.

     

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    Aurora doubled down on its unconventional approach in Game 2, catching Team Liquid off guard by fielding Sigibum’s Paquito in the gold lane.

     

    The Turkish representatives maintained complete control during the early stages, racing to a 3-0 kill lead without conceding a single death. 

     

    Team Liquid eventually found a spark during a clash in the top lane when Sanji’s Zetian unleashed Fury of the Phoenix, setting up Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya’s Arlott for a double kill.

     

    The momentum, however, proved short-lived as Aurora continued to dictate the pace before delivering the knockout blow during a 14-minute siege. 

     

    Pagui’s Atlas found the perfect initiation with a Flicker-Fatal Links combo, creating the opening for Aurora to destroy Team Liquid’s base crystal and complete the series sweep.

     

    The loss immediately places the defending champions in survival mode. Instead of cruising through the upper bracket as many expected, Team Liquid must now defeat Entity 7 in the Group B Lower Bracket Quarterfinals to keep its MSC title defense alive. Another defeat would end the Filipinos’ campaign much earlier than anticipated—a dramatic contrast to the flawless run that carried them to last year’s championship.

     

    While Team Liquid searches for answers, fellow Philippine representative Team Falcons PH enjoyed a far smoother opening.

     

    The Falcons dispatched China’s Guangzhou Gaming with a commanding 2-0 sweep to secure their place in the upper bracket without facing serious resistance.

     

    The victory sends Team Falcons PH into a showdown against Team Vitality in the upper bracket, while Team Liquid PH prepares for an elimination match against Entity 7 with its tournament life hanging in the balance.

     

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  • Team Falcons PH opens MSC 2026 campaign with a statement sweep, moves closer to playoffs

    Team Falcons PH opens MSC 2026 campaign with a statement sweep, moves closer to playoffs

    Two years after falling short in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup finals, Team Falcons PH opened its 2026 campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over China’s Guangzhou Gaming on Wednesday in Paris, taking the first step in what it hopes will be a redemption run on the international stage.

     

    The victory sends Team Falcons PH to the upper bracket semifinals, leaving the MPL Philippines runner-up just one win away from booking a place in the playoffs.

     

    “We already felt that loss and we’re gonna use that experience in this tournament,” EXP laner David “Flap” Canon said.

     

    Guangzhou Gaming dictated the pace early in Game 1, racing to a 6-2 kill advantage behind jungler Recall’s Nolan, while also claiming two of the first three Turtle objectives to keep the Philippine representatives on the defensive.

     

    Team Falcons PH patiently waited for its opening, and it came at the 11-minute mark when Michael “Kyle” Sayson, piloting Ling, secured the first Lord. The objective immediately shifted momentum as the Filipinos cracked open all three lanes and destroyed four turrets to seize control of the map.

     

    Another turning point followed when Guangzhou’s jungler was caught defending the top lane, allowing Team Falcons to secure a second uncontested Lord. With the enhanced minion wave marching down the bottom lane, the Filipinos completed the comeback.

     

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    Gold laner Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano put the finishing touches on Game 1 with two separate double kills that wiped out Guangzhou Gaming and secured the opening victory.


    Game 2 followed a familiar script as Hirara, once again dominated the neutral objectives by capturing all three Turtle buffs, but Team Falcons PH refused to let the early deficit dictate the outcome.


    After claiming the first Lord, Flap delivered the decisive play of the match. Using Sora’s Shifting Skies at the 15-minute mark, he initiated a crucial four-man pick-off that dismantled Guangzhou Gaming’s defense and completed the 2-0 series sweep.

     

    The victory keeps Team Falcons PH firmly on course for the knockout stage, but an even bigger challenge now awaits.

     

    The Filipino side will next face Indonesia’s Team Vitality, which also advanced after defeating True Rippers, with a playoff berth on the line. 

     

    Meanwhile, fellow Philippine representative Team Liquid PH begins its own Group B campaign against Turkey’s Aurora Gaming.

     

    This year’s MSC marks another milestone for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports as the tournament is being staged in Europe for the first time as part of the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris. 

     

    The group stage features a 16-team double-elimination format, with only the top four teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds, making every upper-bracket victory crucial in the race for the championship.

     

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