MPL PH: Team Liquid books M7, MPL Season 16 finals tickets after extinguishing TNC

Team Liquid ended TNC Pro Team’s fairytale run after pulling off a dominant 4-1 win in their best-of-seven lower bracket semifinals affair in the MPL Philippines Season 16 on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Cavalry are now through to the coveted Grand Finals stage, where they will duke it out for history and glory against the red-hot Aurora Gaming.

Aside from the finale seat, Team Liquid has also qualified for the M7 World Championship next year.

Howerver, saying Team Liquid’s path to the finals was easy would be an understatement.

Facing an upset-hungry TNC that was just coming off a 3-2 takedown of reigning world champion Onic, Team Liquid rose to the challenge, with exp laner Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya running the show in Game 1 on his Lapu-Lapu to claim MVP honors behind two kills and seven assists.

TNC then had an equalizer in Game 2 with jungler Justine "Zaida" Palma torching Team Liquid with his masterful use of Fanny, unloading five kills and six assists to level the best-of-seven series. 

Team Liquid issued a respect ban on Fanny in Game 3 before making quick work of fifth-seeded TNC in that match and in Game 4, where exp laner Sanford (Arlott) and roamer Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz led the charge to secure a 3-1 match point.

TNT and Team Liquid engaged in multiple intense team clashes at the latter's base, but the Phoenix Army wasn't able to hold off the siege with three heroes down. 

Team Liquid will take on Aurora in the grand finals on Sunday with the Cavalry hoping to claim back-to-back MPL titles.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News