The Road to M7: MPL PH S16 Rosters Revealed
The Road to M7: MPL PH S16 Rosters Revealed
The wait is finally over, folks. The lights are about to go up, the roar of the crowd is getting louder, and the battlefield is set. MPL Philippines Season 16 is kicking off on August 22, and it’s promising to be an absolute firecracker of a season. This time around, something feels different. Legacies will be defined, history will be written, and new stories will unfold on a grand scale. All eight franchised teams have locked in their rosters, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a coveted M7 World Championship slot on the line, every squad is ready to go all out in the battle for supremacy in Filipino MLBB. You can feel the hunger in the air, a raw, unyielding desire to be the one on top. The Road to M7.
This isn’t just about the regular season grind. This is the first step on a global journey. A ticket to the M-Series is every pro player’s dream, and this year, the competition is more intense than ever. Let’s break down the new lineups and the stories they’re hoping to write.
Smart Omega: A Fresh Start with Familiar Faces
Last season was a bit of a nightmare for Smart Omega. A disappointing two-win record is not what you expect from a team with such a storied history. It was clear that something had to change, and they’ve acted on it decisively. The organization said goodbye to a number of players—Andoryuuu, Jowm, Louis, and UK1R—and their veteran roamer Ch4knu, a long-time cornerstone of the team, moved on to TNC Pro Team. It was a mass exodus. But don’t you dare count them out just yet.
Omega is hitting the reset button hard, and they’re doing it with some big-name returns and exciting new blood. The jungle is now in the hands of Raizen, who is back in the Philippines after a couple of seasons abroad. That’s a massive upgrade. Nets is also making a homecoming, returning from a stint in Malaysia to take the gold lane. The coaching staff has also seen a significant shakeup, with former ONIC PH coach Wurahhhh returning to the local scene to guide the new roster. He brings a championship-caliber mindset and a tactical edge that the team desperately needs.
On the player front, we’ll see the long-awaited MPL debut of Peuder, a talent who’s been making some serious waves in the collegiate scene. He’s raw, he’s hungry, and he’s ready to prove he belongs in the big leagues. And in a surprising move that sent shockwaves through the community, veterans Jeymz and Hadji are joining the Omega squad. Hadji, in particular, is making a long-awaited return to the pro stage after a four-year hiatus. This is a comeback story for the ages. Can this intriguing mix of battle-hardened experience and fresh, unbridled talent finally lead Smart Omega to their elusive MPL title? This season will be a true test of their revamped lineup, a crucible that will determine if the new pieces can finally fit together and form a winning machine.
AP.Bren: Reloading for a Playoff Push
AP.Bren took a big swing in Season 15. The team promoted the entire Lazy Esports roster to the big league, essentially throwing them into a “trial by fire” against the best teams in the country. While they showed flashes of brilliance and undeniable raw potential, that experiment ultimately led to a disappointing 3-11 record and, for the first time in a while, a missed playoff spot. This time, they’re not taking any chances. They’ve gone back to the drawing board and made some serious, strategic changes.
The team has released veterans Der, kkdot, and Sindel. But what they’ve brought in is what has everyone talking. They’ve used free agency to acquire some serious firepower, bolstering their core of JamesPangks, Shizou, and Chovskrt. We’re talking about the formidable former TNC EXP laner Lord JM. We’re talking about RRQ Kaito standout xNova, who was an MDL Season 3 Finals MVP. That’s a proven winner right there. And in a move that feels like a long-lost son returning home, former RSG Philippines midlaner Aqua is back in the fold after a season away. Aqua is a well-known playmaker, ready to prove why he’s one of the most feared midlaners around.
With JamesPangks already being hyped as a future great, AP.Bren is buzzing with potential. The burning question remains, though: will these strategic acquisitions be enough to get the Hive back to their winning ways and into playoff contention? They have the talent on paper. Now it’s a matter of chemistry and execution.
Twisted Minds PH: The MDL Champions on the Rise
Twisted Minds PH proved they could hang with the best in Season 15. They were a scrappy, unpredictable team that just barely snuck into the playoffs. Coach Bon Chan’s bold decisions, like the daring move of Sensui to roamer, were certainly memorable. But mixed results meant changes were inevitable. They’ve parted ways with Jamal, Escalera, and Outplayed, while Jeymz and Hadji have now moved on to Smart Omega. This leaves Sensui and MP the King as the core holdovers, with coaches Bon Chan and Eson still at the helm.
What Twisted Minds is doing now is pulling an AP.Bren-esque move, but with a different set of players. They’ve brought in the MDL Philippines champions from Nine Lives: Lansu, Sionnn, Nosia, and Caloy. These “rookies” aren’t to be underestimated in the slightest. They’ve already proven their mettle by reaching the SIBOL qualifiers finals and even managing to snatch a game from none other than Team Liquid PH! That’s a serious statement.
But MPL Philippines is a whole different ballgame. The seasons are longer, the pressure is immense, and the competition is ten times tougher. Will Twisted Minds be able to carve out their own success story with this infusion of new talent, or will they face a similar uphill battle as AP.Bren did last season? The ceiling is high, but the floor is a long way down. It’s a risk, but it’s a risk worth taking.
TNC Pro Team: The Phoenix Army Reinvents Itself
TNC Pro Team’s reinvention in Season 15 definitely worked. They finished joint fifth-sixth and were even in the top-three conversation before a heartbreaking 3-2 playoff loss to Team Falcons PH. They were on the cusp of something great. The offseason, however, saw some significant departures. Kouzen went to Cambodia, Lord JM joined AP.Bren, Koyl left, and coaches ImbaDeejay and Xemy stepped down. The biggest shocker, though, was Yawi’s exit, reuniting with Renejay. A lot of key pieces were gone.
But the Phoenixes are rising from the ashes again. They are bringing back veteran presence with the return of E2MAX from Indonesia. Gold laner Hito (now FindingHito) is also back in the fold. But the blockbuster move, the one that everyone is talking about, is the arrival of Ch4knu, who left Smart Omega after a staggering eight seasons. This is a reunion of old friends. He’s rejoining his Execration brothers: E2MAX, Hito, and Bennyqt. This is a core that has seen it all, that has played together for years.
Can Ch4knu finally be the missing piece for TNC, helping him lift that elusive MPL trophy and cement his legacy as a top-tier roamer? And for the rest of the Phoenix squad, can they build on their Season 15 success and push even further now that the pieces are falling into place? The chemistry is already there. The question is, can they bring it all together when the stakes are highest?
Aurora Gaming: A New Light for the Northern Lights
Aurora Gaming had a story of highs and heartbreaks in Season 14. They started strong, a beacon in the North, but faltered when it mattered most. The biggest news this offseason was the departure of Renejay, the team’s heart and soul, who moved to another game. This left a massive void—not just in terms of skill, but in leadership and team chemistry.
But Aurora is regrouping quickly. They’ve made a brilliant move, bringing in veteran playmaker Light, who’s back home after a stint with Bigetron from Vitality in Indonesia. Light is a champion-caliber roamer, and he’s ready to prove he’s still one of the best in the Philippines. He joins their main five of Domengkite, Edward, Demonkite, and Yue. Calad will serve as their sixth man, a reliable substitute. With coaches Master the Basics and Dex Star, fresh off their MSC experience with Aurora Turkiye, guiding them, the Northern Lights are hungrier than ever for that MPL championship. Can Light fill the void left by Renejay and elevate Aurora’s team play to clinch that elusive title in their third MPL season? The team is banking on it.
Team Falcons PH: The Legacy Continues with a New Edge
Consistency is the name of the game for Team Falcons PH. This is a rare thing in a league with constant roster shuffles. They are keeping their championship main five—KyleTzy, FlapTzy, Pheww, Owgwen, and Super Marco—together for an incredible seventh straight season! This bond has been forged since their Bren Esports days back in Season 10. You can’t put a price on that kind of synergy and trust.
However, they’ll be without Pandora, their reliable sixth man and analyst, who’s taking a break. In his place, Falcons made a rare roster change by bringing in former RRQ Kaito EXP laner Ferdz. Ferdz is a seasoned player, a Season 3 Regular Season MVP with an unbeaten MDL run to his name. His arrival signals a new strategic edge for the Falcons’ already established chemistry, aimed at continuing their championship legacy. Keeping a main five intact for this long is a rarity in esports, proving their commitment to stability. Can Team Falcons PH show that this stable core, with the right strategic addition, can still deliver championships? All signs point to yes.
ONIC Philippines: Defending the M6 Crown The Road to M7
ONIC Philippines is still riding high from their third-place finish at MSC, even after some unexpected defeats. They’re aiming for a strong MPL PH Season 16 run and the ambitious goal of defending their M-Series World Championship crown in early 2027. This is a team with a target on its back. Their main five of Kelra, K1NGKONG, Kirk, SuperFrince, and Brusko are sticking together for a third straight season. That’s a testament to their cohesion. Hate remains their trusted sixth man, and they’ve welcomed a key addition in Ryota from ONIC Indonesia, who will strengthen their EXP Lane. Coaches Ynot and Haze will continue to lead the charge.
While ONIC PH might have lost a bit of the spark from their iconic 2024 campaign, their blend of raw talent, grit, and signature aggression ensures they remain one of the league’s most formidable contenders. The question for them isn’t if they can win, but if they can do it all again. Can Ryota be the final piece that helps them reclaim the MPL title and pave the way for a historic back-to-back M-series championship?
Team Liquid PH: The Golden Road Beckons
Defending champions Team Liquid PH are unequivocally the team to beat. Their MPL PH title and their recent triumph at the MLBB Midseason Cup in Saudi Arabia have cemented their place at the top. This was a true crowning moment for The Cavalry. Sanford earned Finals MVP, Sanji stepped up huge, Jaypee silenced his doubters, Oheb proved to be a fantastic addition, and KarlTzy cemented his G.O.A.T. status. The Road to M7.
But with all the success comes a daunting challenge: no team has won back-to-back league titles since Season 8. Team Liquid PH is now eyeing the elusive “Golden Road”—winning every major MLBB Esports title in a single year, a feat no team has ever achieved. This includes both domestic split finals, the Mid Season Cup, and the World Championship. With their entire championship roster intact for Season 16 (KarlTzy, Oheb, Sanford, Sanji, and Jaypee, coached by Ar Sy), Team Liquid PH is more than ready to face this monumental task and remind everyone why they’re the best. Can they defy history and achieve the Golden Road?
