Team Liquid PH booked their place in the M7 World Championship knockout stage on Thursday after a decisive 2-0 sweep of Myanmar’s Yangon Galacticos, completing a strong Swiss Stage campaign in Jakarta and reinforcing the Philippines’ status as one of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s global powerhouses.
The victory lifted the Filipino champions to a 3-1 record in the Swiss Stage, enough to secure advancement to the double-elimination playoffs beginning on January 18. Team Liquid PH move forward alongside Aurora Gaming PH, ensuring two Philippine teams remain in contention at MLBB’s most prestigious international tournament.
A Statement Win Under Pressure
Thursday’s match carried significant weight for Team Liquid PH, who entered the day seeking a rebound after a narrow 1-2 loss to Malaysian powerhouse SRG earlier in the week. Against Yangon Galacticos, the response was emphatic.
“There was no denying Team Liquid this time as the Filipino champions secured a spot in the M7 World Championship knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Myanmar’s Yangon Galacticos,” tournament coverage noted, reflecting the one-sided nature of the best-of-three series.
The sweep not only ended any uncertainty around qualification but also underscored the team’s ability to reset quickly after setbacks. As one report observed, “The Cavalry unleashed their frustration on the Burmese squad after suffering a 1-2 heartbreaking loss to Malaysian powerhouse SRG.”
Swiss Stage Success in Jakarta
The M7 World Championship, staged entirely in Jakarta, Indonesia, features 16 elite teams competing in a Swiss Stage format, where three wins are required to advance. Team Liquid PH reached that threshold through victories over Aurora Gaming PH in an all-Filipino clash, Team Falcons, and finally Yangon Galacticos.
Their lone defeat came against SRG of Malaysia, highlighting both the depth of the field and the thin margins that can define progress at this level. Still, advancing with a game to spare placed Team Liquid PH among the tournament’s more convincing performers.
Aurora Gaming PH Joins the Knockout Field
Adding to the Philippines’ strong showing, Aurora Gaming PH also finished the Swiss Stage at 3-1, sealing qualification with a sweep of Team Spirit. For Aurora, the result carried added significance.
“This advancement was a significant relief for Aurora Gaming PH, as they had not progressed in last year’s M6,” reports noted, pointing to a redemption arc for the second Philippine seed after earlier international disappointment.
With both teams through, Filipino fans now look ahead to the possibility of deep playoff runs—and even a domestic showdown—on the world stage.
Knockout Stage Beckons
The tournament now shifts into its double-elimination knockout phase from January 18 to 25, beginning at Indonesia XO Hall, also known as the MPL Arena. Matches will intensify, with best-of-five series becoming the standard and the grand final contested over a grueling best-of-seven.
Seeding for the bracket has yet to be confirmed, leaving Team Liquid PH and Aurora Gaming PH awaiting their next opponents among a field that includes established international contenders.
Philippine Esports After the ONIC Era
The progress of Team Liquid PH and Aurora Gaming PH comes in a year of transition for Philippine MLBB. Defending world champions ONIC PH failed to qualify for M7, marking the third straight season in which the reigning titleholder will not defend the crown.
Even so, the presence of two Philippine teams in the knockout stage has been read as evidence of the depth of the country’s esports ecosystem, built through the MPL Philippines league and a vast grassroots player base.
Beyond the Arena
For fans at home, from urban gaming hubs to provincial communities where MLBB remains a daily pastime, the results offer a welcome surge of national pride. The tournament’s online reach has transformed matches into shared moments, discussed in homes, cafés and on commutes, without the barriers of cost or access that often accompany traditional sports.
As the M7 World Championship enters its decisive phase, Team Liquid PH carry both expectation and opportunity—a disciplined squad looking to convert Swiss Stage confidence into a sustained title challenge. For now, their sweep of Yangon Galacticos stands as a clear signal: the Philippines are still very much in the hunt.
