Aurora Gaming slays another champion with reverse sweep vs. Onic

Aurora Gaming has now taken down the last two MPL Philippines champions, completing a 2-1 reverse sweep over Onic to secure its second consecutive win in the league's 16th Season on Saturday at the Green Sun Hotel.

Riding high from a stunning 2-1 victory over reigning champion Team Liquid on Friday, Aurora Gaming overcame a lethargic start and pulled off another upset by toppling Season 14 champion Onic, improving to 2-1 in the standings

Onic, meanwhile, suffered its first loss and also sits at 2-1.

"I think kaya mukhang magkakilala talaga 'yung nangyayari sa amin tuwing magkalaban kami kasi since nabuo 'yung Aurora, sila talaga 'yung pinakamarami beses naming nakalaban," Aurora Gaming head coach Aniel "Master the Basics" Jiandani said.

"Kaya dikit talaga 'yung magiging laban."

Aurora Gaming jumped to an early lead in all three games, but a pivotal lord steal by Duane "Kelra" Pillas using Moskov’s Spear of Destruction at the 19th minute turned the tide in Game 1, allowing Onic to draw first blood.

Onic then experimented in the gold lane in Game 2, with Duane "Kelra" Pillas picking Cici against Jan "Domengkite" Del Mundo’s Moskov. 

But the strategy backfired on Onic as Kelra was held to an unusual 0/2/3 KDA, enabling Aurora Gaming to take an almost 10,000 gold lead and force a decisive Game 3.

Aurora once again got the early upper hand in the final game with veteran Edward "Edward" Dapadap outdueling Jann "Kirk" Gutierrez (Cici) in the exp lane with two early kills on his comfort pick Lapu-Lapu.

Jonard "Demonkite" Caranto (Joy) secured the lord objective at the 17th minute before unloading a double kill against Kirk and Kelra (Granger), paving the way for the tower lock and the victory. 

Edward claimed the Game 3 MVP honors after punishing Onic with two kills and six assists. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News