Aurora Gaming PH seeks redemption at M7
MANILA, Philippines — Aurora Gaming PH enters the M7 World Championship not only to carry the country’s flag, but also fulfill a mission of redemption.
After a disappointing M6 campaign last year and a heartbreaking collapse in the finals of the Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 16 despite holding the top seed for much of the regular season, the Northern Lights are heading to the global stage with something to prove.
"Hindi maganda yung mga international runs namin pero mas marami na kaming experience ngayon and tumitingin kami lagi sa positive,” Aurora Gaming PH's head coach Aniel "Master the Basics" Jiandan told Philstar.com.
In last year's M6, Jiandan admits that the team’s run saw a lack of composure in BO1s, shaky macro decisions under pressure, and a struggle to adapt when games spiral away early. These costly missteps cut their world championship bid short, getting eliminated in the Swiss Stage — an outcome the team has vowed not to repeat in M7.
"I think malaking motivation [yung last year] kasi alam namin kung paano kami nag-fail noong M6. So ngayon dahil nga ang dami na namin natutunan, I think napakita naman namin nung Games of the Future (GOTF) na kung sakaling magkaroon ulit ng BO1, kahit paano makakasabay na kami compared noong M6. Kailangan lang namin i-maintain yung ganung composure namin. Tsaka kung ano man yung ginawa namin ng GOTF, magawa rin namin sa M7,” added Jiandan.
In MPL Philippines Season 16, with a new roamer joining their mix, it seemed Aurora Gaming PH had finally gotten its top form. The squad delivered statement wins over top contenders like then reigning world champions ONIC Philippines and MSC champions Team Liquid Philippines, sweeping the latter 2–0 during Week 6 to stretch its win streak to nine straight matches. The team’s consistency resulted in a top seeding by midseason, earning early playoff qualification and reaffirming its place among the league’s elite. Aurora PH eventually set the longest win streak in the league to 15 matches (13 during the regular season and an additional two wins in the playoffs).
But despite being the top seed for most of the season, the Northern Lights faded in the most crucial moment of them all — the grand finals. There, the team failed to stop the Cavalry in full force, being handed 0-4 defeat by Team Liquid Philippines.
While other teams had national team responsibilities in preparations for M7, Aurora Gaming PH also had its own tournament responsibilities: participating in the Games of the Future last December as added preparations for M7. There, the team once again stumbled, this time against Indonesia's ONIC Esports to eventually place third in the competition.
Despite the holidays and busy schedule, Aurora Gaming PH chose to continuously practice and is now in Jakarta, Indonesia to prove that despite all its previous setbacks, it is one of the top teams in MLBB, not to be taken for granted.
"Isa sa mga mindset kasi namin ever since, kapag gusto mo talagang manalo, importante talaga na ready kang mapagod at mag-sacrifice. Magkakasama talaga siya. Hindi ka pwedeng mag-champion nang wala yun. Yan yung isa sa mga mindset namin. Kaya yan din yung pinapractice namin. Alam na ng mga players na kahit gaano pa man ka?hectic yung schedule namin, ready kami. Dapat nasa condition pa rin lahat, from players to coaches,” said Jiandan.
Aurora Gaming PH's redemption arc begins in true fashion as it hopes to avenge previous losses against fellow Philippine representative, Team Liquid, in the first round of the M7 Swiss Stage on January 10 at 9 p.m. (Manila time).
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