QUEZON CITY — TNC Pro Team secured the final playoff spot in MPL Philippines Season 18 on Saturday after Smart Omega swept AP.Bren 2-0, eliminating the remaining uncertainty in the race for the league’s last postseason berth.
The Phoenix Army later fell 1-2 to Team Falcons PH, but the result did not affect their qualification. Omega’s Game 1 win over AP.Bren had already secured TNC’s place in the playoffs.
Omega sweep sends TNC to playoffs
Smart Omega opened its series against AP.Bren with an 18-minute win, using a well-timed teamfight to overcome the Phoenixes’ position on the map.
Wilburt “Cull” Salinda led Omega on Freya with an 8/1/3 KDA, while Carl Edriel “Minguin” Gallantes finished with a 1/1/10 line.
Omega lured AP.Bren into an unfavorable position before John “Perkziva” Sumawan’s Gatotkaca initiated a prolonged teamfight, allowing Omega to finish the engagement and take Game 1.
Omega closed the series in Game 2 with another win, this time in 16 minutes. Perkziva posted a 1/0/6 KDA on Marcel, while Dean “Raizen” Sumagui finished with four kills, no deaths, and one assist.
AP.Bren’s Jhon Marl “JMPinkman” Sebastian struggled to make an impact, ending the series’ second game with a 0/3/1 KDA.
The sweep lifted Omega to 7-7, while AP.Bren fell to 3-11.
Falcons recover after TNC comeback
TNC put up a fight against league-leading Falcons, taking Game 1 despite trailing by nearly 8,000 gold.
Justine “Zaida” Palma’s Alice took down Michael “Kyle” Sayson’s Harley in the 21st minute, helping TNC secure the Lord and turn the ensuing fight in its favor.
Zehnder “Zehn” Fabugais also played a key role on Carmilla. Despite finishing with a 0/5/6 KDA, his teamfight contribution helped TNC win the engagement, claim the Lord, and lock down the map to complete the comeback.
Falcons responded in Game 2 behind roamer Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo, whose Khufra earned MVP honors with a 7/2/8 KDA.
Kyle then led Falcons in the deciding game with a 6/4/3 performance on Hirara, sealing the 2-1 series win.
Falcons improved to 12-1, while TNC finished the day at 4-10 despite securing its playoff berth.
TLPH sweeps ONIC in rematch
Team Liquid Philippines also picked up a 2-0 win over ONIC Philippines, improving to 11-2 and keeping its push for the top seed alive.
Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya earned Game 1 MVP honors with a 5/1/7 KDA on Arlott, before Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno took over in Game 2.
KarlTzy finished with nine kills and one assist without dying on Hirara, also recording a Savage — five consecutive kills — before the game ended.
The loss dropped ONIC to 9-5 heading into the final day of the regular season.
MPL PH regular season ends Sunday
The regular season concludes Sunday with two series carrying significant seeding implications.
Aurora Gaming PH, currently at 8-5, faces Twisted Minds PH, which remains winless at 0-13. Aurora will look to strengthen its position for third seed, while Twisted Minds seeks to finish its campaign with a win.
The final series pits Team Liquid PH against Team Falcons PH. With TLPH at 11-2 and Falcons at 12-1, the winner will claim the regular-season top seed.
