The MPL Philippines Season 18 has officially crowned its champion! Aurora Gaming PH completed an incredible lower-bracket run to win their first MPL PH title, with a historic comeback, a surprise hero pick, and another World Championship appearance on the horizon. Here are the four biggest stories.
1 – Aurora Gaming PH are the MPL PH Season 18 champions! After finishing fourth in the regular season, Aurora fought their way through the lower bracket, defeating defending champions Team Liquid PH 4-3 before taking down Team Falcons PH 4-2 in the Grand Finals. It was Aurora’s first MPL Philippines title after previously falling short in the finals.
2 – Domeng takes home the Finals MVP award. Aurora’s gold laner Jan “Domeng” Delmundo delivered when it mattered most, helping his team recover from a 1-2 deficit in the Grand Finals. His performance earned him the Finals MVP title and helped Aurora secure the championship.
3 – A surprise Estes pick turns the series around. With Aurora trailing 1-2, mid laner Yue brought out an unexpected Estes pick in Game 4, helping the team tie the series. Aurora used Estes again in Game 5, this time with Light playing the hero as a roamer. Both games ended in Aurora’s favor, putting the team one win away from the title.
4 – Aurora make MPL Philippines history and prepare for M8. Aurora became the first team to win an MPL PH championship after finishing fourth in the regular season standings. Now the reigning MLBB world champions are heading to Istanbul, Türkiye, for the M8 World Championship, scheduled for January 2–23, 2027, where they’ll look to defend their world title.