Photo: MPL PH

By Tiffany Dela Cruz

Even without Sultan “AeronnShikii” Muhammad, defending champion Team Liquid PH survived reigning world champion Aurora PH, 2-1, on opening day of MPL Philippines Season 17 Tuesday at the Victoria Sports Tower.

AeronnShikii, sidelined for the first week due to pending administrative requirements, was replaced by rookie gold laner Kim “Daiki” Sebanes, who stepped in to fill the crucial role and help the squad secure a win in a  much-anticipated rematch of the Season 16 grand finals.

But it was veterans Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno and Alston “Sanji” Pabico who came through in the decisive moments, delivering key plays in Game 3 that allowed Team Liquid PH to secure the series-clinching victory.

KarlTzy (Suyou) and Sanji (Zhuxin) took charge in the deciding clash, with the former securing a triple kill and the latter adding a double kill to complete a five-game sweep, giving Team Liquid PH the opening to close out the match in just 12 minutes.

The 21-year-old jungler finished with a clean 5-0-5 line, while the 20-year-old mid laner registered five kills and seven assists against just one death in the 15-8 Game 3 victory.

Daiki, though, still had his moment as he stepped up the opener, delivering a stellar performance on Moskov with five kills and five assists against just one death, helping Team Liquid PH secure a nail-biting 22-19 Game 1 victory that lasted 20 minutes and 33 seconds.

The opening game of the series was a back-and-forth affair, with a crucial fight near the Lord pit that dragged into Aurora PH’s base in the 20th minute proving decisive. Daiki delivered the finishing blow, landing a Spear of Distraction on Dylan “Light” Catipon to secure the win.

Aurora PH then came alive in Game 2, as Light bounced back from a rough Grock performance in the opener to dominate with the same hero, recording 19 assists against just three deaths and leading the team to a 20-9 victory in nearly 17 minutes, tying the series.

Meanwhile, ONIC PH opened its post-Duane “Kelra” Pillas campaign with a gutsy 2-1 win over Twisted Minds in the night cap.

Jungler Cyric “K1NGKONG” Perez on Harley was the steady presence in ONIC PH’s 30-minute Game 1 win, finishing with three kills and four assists against one death.

Twisted Minds bounced back with a 21-12, 18-minute win in Game 2. Miguel “Sionn” Alcantara had a masterful Valentina performance, finishing with 11 kills and seven assists against three deaths to tie the series.

ONIC PH sealed the deal in the decider as Borris “Brusko” Parro’s Gatotkaca carried them to a close 15-11 win in 19 minutes. He tallied 10 assists to go with two kills and three deaths.