Headlining the opening round is a blockbuster clash between third seed ONIC PH and sixth seed Aurora, a heavyweight showdown featuring two squads with world championship pedigree and MPL titles to their name, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle between proven winners at 3 p.m.

The winner of the series will advance to face second-seeded Falcons PH in the next round.

ONIC PH finished the regular season with a 9-5 record and have gradually found their rhythm as the playoffs loom, with the squad also showing improved chemistry alongside Indonesian import Clayton “Savero” Kuswanto. 

Cyric “K1NGKONG” Perez and Frince “Super Frince” Ramirez are also expected to play pivotal roles as ONIC PH look to assert their experience and depth in the do-or-die stage.

Aurora, the reigning M7 World Champions, endured a turbulent run in the second round after dropping five straight matches that put their playoff hopes in jeopardy and raised the possibility of an early exit from contention.

However, the squad showed championship resolve down the stretch, rallying with back-to-back victories over Omega Esports and AP Bren to close out the regular season and secure their ticket to the playoffs.

Whether that late surge is enough to build lasting momentum remains a question, but if they have truly found their form at the right time, Aurora could pose a major challenge to ONIC PH in what is expected to be a high-intensity showdown.

Meanwhile, No. 4 Omega Esports will battle No. 5 Twisted Minds at 6 p.m. in another tightly matched series, with both teams—both up-and-coming teams—fighting to stay alive in the high-pressure playoff stage.

Dean “Raizen” Sumagui and Kenneth “Nets” Barro will be key figures for Omega Esports, while Michael “MP the King” Endino and Miguel “Sionn” Alcantara will lead the charge for Twisted Minds in their crucial playoff clash.

The winner will move on to the next round and face defending back-to-back champion and top seed Team Liquid PH in the next round.