The Rising Cavalry Begins the Golden Road With the Immortal Cup in Hand

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From Day 1 Sparks to Immortality: A Journey That Was Written Early

From the very first day of the playoffs, we knew we were in for a wild ride. ONIC Philippines kicked things off by surviving the chaos of an almost reverse sweep from the unpredictable Twisted Minds, while Team Falcons powered through a relentless, back-and-forth war against TNC Pro Team. Both series? Full five-game thrillers. That’s 10 games to start the day — and none of them were light work.

Pair that with the electric energy of the Naruto-themed MPL Playgrounds, booths from BPI, TTRacing, Smart, and Infinix, and the undeniable presence of fan-favorite casters Brigida and Chantelle (hailed by the crowd as the Mother and Daughter of All Series), and Day 1 was more than just an opening act — it was a warning: this playoffs run would be unforgettable.

Now that TLPH has lifted the Immortal Cup, it’s clear: that chaotic, explosive Day 1 wasn’t just a glimpse — it was prophecy.

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A Finals Built for the History Books

After the panel intro, the grand entrance brought the arena to life — not just for the players, but for the fans. We were introduced to the Philippines’ official MSC and MWI representatives, heading straight to the Esports World Cup (EWC). The interviews with PESO and GAB highlighted national pride, while the event itself reminded us what’s truly at stake on the global stage.

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The Immortal Cup Series: Battle of Titans

From Game 1 to Game 7, every match felt like the finals — and then some. Each draft, skirmish, and clash told a story of resilience and genius. Here’s how the series unfolded:

• Game 1: A surprisingly even draft saw ONIC PH lean toward a late-game Irithel and Zhuxin lineup, while TLPH went mobile with Mathilda and Baxia. Despite K1ngkong’s Lancelot, the Granger pick for Oheb paid dividends thanks to heavy map control. ONIC simply couldn’t respond to the siege pressure, and the cavalry charged through for first blood.
  
• Game 2: This was chess on steroids. Gold leads barely crossed the 1k mark, with casters likening the dance to a “choreography.” In the end, ONIC pulled a slick Diversion split-push to the top lane, isolating Sanji and equalizing the series.
  
• Game 3: TLPH dominated early, with Jaypee’s Chip and Sanji’s control pressing the advantage. But the tide turned late when a failed base initiation by TLPH allowed ONIC’s KK connection to punish hard. Another Diversion play caught Sanji out — and ONIC completed the comeback via a mid push.
  
• Game 4: Onic drafted strong with Joy and a surprise Khufra, but KarlTzy’s Hayabusa rampaged early, ballooning the gold lead to over 9k. Momentum never shifted, and TLPH roared back to tie the series — with the drama amplified by a fiery head-to-head moment between both teams’ Country Managers that nearly outshone the game itself.
  
• Game 5: Oheb on Granger. Sanji on Luo Yi. The classic TLPH map control returned, while ONIC’s Chip gave them hope in late-game team fights. But just as the momentum seemed to swing, a sudden teleport into the mid lane base led by Sanji, Jaypee, and Oheb sealed the win for TLPH in dramatic fashion.
  
• Game 6: ONIC fired back hard with Joy, Chou, and Selena — a triple threat that snowballed the game into a one-sided storm. World champions mentality kicked in, and we were heading to a grand finals Game 7 — shades of Season 14’s iconic ONIC vs Aurora finale.

• Game 7: This was destiny. TLPH got all their comfort picks: KarlTzy’s Hayabusa, Oheb’s Granger, Jaypee’s Chip, Sanford’s Gloo, and most crucially, Sanji’s Luo Yi. ONIC kept pace until one mistimed team fight broke the balance. Coach Arsy’s draft caused chaos through constant diversions, spreading ONIC thin until the cavalry found their mark and closed the series.

A mid-series interview with Mirko and a feature with Infinix, the official gaming phone partner, kept the pacing crisp between games — while giving fans breathing room between intense moments.

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Game 7: One Match to Claim Immortality

When the dust settled, it was TLPH who stood tall.

KarlTzy, the once-boy wonder, reminded the MPL superfans why he’s the young GOAT. Multiple championships in, his leadership and poise shone brighter than ever.

Oheb, after seasons away from the top, found his way back to the crown. Steady. Precise. Champion once more.

And let’s not forget the master behind the scenes — Coach Arsy. In just his first PH coaching season, he won it all. True to his word, he will donate 50% of his winnings to Myanmar, honoring his coaching roots and the community that helped shape him.

But in the midst of stars, one name shone the brightest — Sanji, who was rightfully crowned the Finals MVP. From split-second Luo Yi diversions to mid-game decision-making that opened up win conditions for his team, Sanji proved he was not just a playmaker, but the pulse of the cavalry.

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The Bow, the Legacy, the Road Ahead

As the defending champs took their final bow, fans knew they had witnessed greatness. The Awarding Ceremony wasn’t just a celebration — it was a coronation. TLPH has begun the Golden Road. If they want to complete it, they’ll need to win MSC, dominate Season 16, and take home M7.

But for now? They’ve earned their place in history.

From a fiery Day 1 to a soul-shaking Game 7, this wasn’t just a tournament — this was the story of legends becoming immortal.

Long live the rising cavalry.

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Sponsor Highlights

• Every finalist received TT Racing gaming chairs, courtesy of MPL’s official gaming chair partner.
  
• Champions were also awarded the Infinix Champion Set, from MPL’s official gaming phone partner Infinix