PH's NAVI falls to Galaxy Phoenix to start 2026 MWI campaign

NAVI got off to a rough start in its 2026 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's Invitational (MWI) campaign at the Esports World Cup after absorbing a 0-2 loss to Cambodia's Galaxy Phoenix on Tuesday in Paris.

The underwhelming loss sent the Filipinas to the lower bracket, where every match is now do-or-die as NAVI faces a steeper road in its redemption campaign.

NAVI, whose core ruled the 2024 edition under the Smart Omega Empress banner, fell behind early against the Cambodian squad, which raced to an early 7-0 kill spread in Game 1 led by jungler Neth "Fahh" Sreynoch's brilliant use of Guinevere.

NAVI respawned after suffering a four-man wipeout, but Galaxy Phoenix wasted no time marching down the middle lane to begin its final siege.

Exp laner Sin "Lingg" Chansovanvichka then transformed her Sora into Torrent Mode, enabling the Cambodian side to pick off two more NAVI heroes before locking down the base to draw first blood in the best-of-three series.

NAVI opted not to ban three of the heroes Galaxy Phoenix fielded in Game 1, which proved coslty as it allowed Guinevere, Belerick, and Claude to wreak havoc once again in Game 2.

Ly "Winnie" Meyching's Claude unloaded a double kill during the final team clash, which ultimately spelled doom for NAVI as Galaxy Phoenix upset the powerhouse club to open its own run.

—JMB, GMA News