Photo: MPL PH

By Tiffany Dela Cruz

Team Liquid PH moved within one win of becoming the first team in league history to complete a three-peat after defeating ONIC PH, 3-1, and advancing to the grand finals of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 17 on Friday at the Filoil Centre.

The defending champions pulled off an epic comeback win in Game 4 to clinch the upper bracket finals series and also secure their spot in the Mid Season Cup at the Esports World Cup in Paris, France.

ONIC PH looked poised to force a do-or-die Game 5 after limiting Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno’s signature Lancelot to four straight deaths, but the veteran jungler answered back in a pivotal midlane clash where he secured a Maniac that swung momentum back in favor of Team Liquid.

From there, Team Liquid made all the right plays, evading an ambush in the middle river before turning the tables with a counter-initiation that led to a five-man wipe, sealing the win in 17 minutes and closing out the series over ONIC PH.

Meanwhile, ONIC PH will figure in a lower bracket finals clash against Team Falcons PH for a shot at advancing to the grand finals against Team Liquid, with the winner also clinching the last ticket to the Mid Season Cup.

Team Falcons earlier booted out Omega Esports, 3-1, in the lower bracket semifinals.

The Smart-backed squad ended the season in fourth place.