MPL PH Season 16 Week 1 Recap

The first week of MPL Philippines Season 16 (August 22–24, 2025) was packed with action, comebacks, and sweeps. Fans saw new rosters trying to find their rhythm, rookies making big debuts, and veterans stepping up when it mattered most. Every match had a story, from TNC’s heartbreaks to Twisted Minds’ dream start. Let’s break down the first week, game by game.

Day 1: August 22

Match 1: Smart Omega vs TNC Pro Team

In the very first game of the season, Smart Omega started strong. Raizen’s Fanny was the highlight as he darted around the map, slicing through TNC’s defenses. With his high mobility and insane damage, TNC had no answer. The game ended quickly with Omega on top.

Game 2, however, saw a different story. TNC fought back hard, and BennyQT’s Moskov became the star. His positioning in the late game was nearly perfect, landing huge hits and shredding Omega’s lineup. TNC’s patience finally paid off as they tied the series.

But in Game 3, Omega tightened up their draft and made sure there were no slip-ups. They shut down TNC’s win conditions and closed the series without much struggle. Raizen once again stood tall, and Omega secured their first victory of the season, 2-1.

Match 2: ONIC Philippines vs Aurora Gaming

Aurora came into Game 1 strong, dominating the early game and building up a massive 10k gold lead. It looked like an easy win, but ONIC kept their composure. As the match dragged into the late game, SuperMarco’s Moskov came online and carried team fights. Aurora simply couldn’t deal with his damage, and the comeback was complete.

In Game 2, ONIC didn’t let Aurora breathe. Their rotations were crisp, and they controlled the map from the start. Aurora, with their new roamer Light from MPL Indonesia, still looked shaky in terms of chemistry. Ferds, filling in as a substitute, played decently but couldn’t turn the tide.
ONIC swept the series 2-0, sending a clear message to the league that they were ready to challenge anyone.

Day 2: August 23

Match 1: AP.Bren vs Smart Omega

Game 1 was all about Aqua’s Valentina. Stealing key ultimates like Pharsa’s Feathered Airstrike and X.Borg’s Last Insanity, he turned the tide of every big fight. With Bren’s Moskov farming safely into the late game, they secured the win and took the lead.

Omega adjusted in Game 2. They played more patiently, waiting for the right time to strike instead of forcing early fights. Their discipline paid off when they punished Bren’s missteps and controlled objectives, tying the series 1-1.

But Bren wasn’t done yet. In Game 3, their Lancelot showed up big time. Outplays in crucial clashes and a confident tempo allowed them to control the map. Rookie xNova also stepped up with clutch setups that created opportunities. Bren walked away with a 2-1 win.

Match 2: Twisted Minds vs Team Falcons

Game 1 was a showcase for Twisted Minds’ poise. MPtheKing led the charge, and the whole squad displayed great composure in late-game fights. Falcons had moments, but Twisted’s teamwork and objective control proved too much.

Game 2 was more of the same story. Moskov became a nightmare once again in the late game, and Falcons had no answer. Twisted Minds pulled off a clean 2-0 sweep, shocking many who thought Falcons would take the series.

Match 3: Team Liquid PH vs ONIC Philippines

This matchup was a rematch of last season’s grand finals, and ONIC wanted revenge. In Game 1, Kelra’s Bruno dominated from start to finish, proving why he’s still called the “Gold Standard.” His damage output overwhelmed Liquid, and ONIC secured the first point.

In Game 2, Superfrince’s Selena was the game-changer. His Abyssal Arrows connected at the right moments, setting up ONIC’s carries for easy kills. Liquid tried to fight back, but the momentum was already in ONIC’s hands. With clean execution, ONIC completed the sweep 2-0.

Day 3: August 24

Match 1: Twisted Minds vs AP.Bren

Game 1 saw Twisted Minds dictate the tempo. They controlled objectives, played safe, and punished Bren in team fights. With smart execution, they secured the opener.

Bren answered in Game 2 with aggression. They invaded early, forced skirmishes, and didn’t let Twisted settle into their comfort zone. The strategy worked, and Bren tied the series.

But Game 3 was pure dominance from Twisted. They racked up a 7-0 kill lead just five minutes into the game. Sionnn’s Kagura played flawlessly, locking down Bren’s key heroes and enabling his teammates to clean up. Twisted Minds sealed the series 2-1 and stayed unbeaten.

Match 2: TNC Pro Team vs Team Liquid PH

Team Liquid came in hungry for their first win, and in Game 1, KarlTzy made sure they got it. He finished with a perfect performance, dishing out damage and leading Liquid to a convincing victory.

Game 2 almost went TNC’s way. They built an 8k gold lead and secured the Lord, with BennyQT nearly pulling off a game-winning backdoor. But Sanji’s Pharsa stood in his way, using Feathered Airstrike to stop the attempt. That defense flipped the momentum, and Liquid countered immediately. With the Lord down and TNC scrambling, Liquid stormed into the base to end the series with a 2-0 sweep.
For TNC, it was another heartbreaking loss. For Team Liquid, it was a sigh of relief to finally notch their first win of the season.

Week 1 of MPL PH Season 16 had everything fans could hope for: dominant sweeps, clutch comebacks, and shocking upsets. Twisted Minds emerged as the surprise of the week, finishing undefeated and proving that rookies can go toe-to-toe with the league’s best. ONIC also looked sharp, especially in their revenge match against Team Liquid, reminding everyone that they are still a powerhouse.

Meanwhile, TNC struggled to close games despite showing flashes of brilliance, and Aurora is still searching for their rhythm with a new lineup. AP.Bren showed promise with their rookies stepping up, while Smart Omega’s discipline kept them competitive. For Team Liquid, KarlTzy and company managed to avoid a disastrous 0-2 start with a clutch win on the final day.

It’s only the beginning of the season, but Week 1 already set the stage for an exciting journey. With rookies rising, veterans adapting, and teams still fine-tuning their strategies, MPL PH Season 16 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable seasons yet. Fans can expect even more drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments as the weeks roll on.