FILIPINO excellence stood out at the 2025 Mid-Season Cup (MSC), with Team Liquid PH bringing home the championship, and ONIC PH securing a hard-fought third place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organized by the Esports World Cup, the tournament highlighted the Philippines’ dominance in the international Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) scene.

The MSC 2025 marks the eighth edition of the Mobile Legends international mid-year tournament, and the second to carry the rebranded “Mid-Season Cup” name. It replaced the former Southeast Asia Cup and became one of the premier international in-season events. As part of the Esports World Cup, this year’s competition ran from July 10 to August 2, featuring top-tier teams from around the world.

ONIC PH Secures Third with Resilience

ONIC PH came into MSC 2025 off the back of a dominant Mobile Legends Professional League Season 14 and an M6 World Championship win. With a powerhouse lineup that includes Jann Kirk Solcruz Gutierrez (Kirk), King Cyric Perez (K1NGKONG), Frince Miguel Ramirez (Super Frince), Grant Duane Pillas (Kelra), and Borris James Parro (Brusko), the team lived up to its reputation.

ONIC PH fought hard in the knockout stage but fell to Malaysia’s SRG.OG in the semis in a narrow 2–3 series. They bounced back in a tense best-of-five against ONIC Indonesia for the third-place match. The tightly contested series ended in a 3–2 win, backed by Kirk’s Savage moment on Edith and reliable impact from Kelra and Super Frince.

In a post-match interview, K1NGKONG said, “Coach Ynot told us to enjoy the game no matter what. Even though it’s a battle for third, we did our best. We learned a lot, and what’s important is we enjoyed the journey.” It was evident in their strategy that Kirk’s savagery on Edith and KeLRa’s consistent damage output showcased the depth of ONIC’s roster. 

Team Liquid PH: Champions of MSC 2025

“Sobrang saya ko talaga ngayon. ‘Di ko ma-explain ‘yung feeling... kakaiba sa past tournaments,” KarlTzy shared after Team Liquid PH’s championship win at MSC 2025. 

Team Liquid PH had a dominant run in the tournament, culminating with a 4-1 win over Malaysia’s SRG.OG in the Grand Finals. Teammate veterans like Karl Gabriel Nepomuceno (KarlTzy), Sanford Marin Vinuya (Sanford), Alston Pabico (Sanji), Kiel Calvin Q. Soriano (Oheb), and Jaypee Gonzales Dela Cruz (Jaypee) showed control and confidence at every stage.

They secured a 3–1 win over ONIC PH in the semifinals, thanks to Oheb’s strong performance and the support of KarlTzy and Jaypee. In the finals, Sanford was named MVP for his steady play in the EXP lane, while KarlTzy guided the team with his experience and calm leadership. KarlTzy has won championships in M2, M4, MSC, MPL, the SEA Games, and more, making him one of the most successful players in MLBB history.

Philippine Esports Stands Tall

ONIC PH and Team Liquid PH proved their commitment and growth throughout MSC 2025. From ONIC's well-deserved third-place finish to Team Liquid's historic championship run, Filipino fans had every right to be happy.

“ONIC fans, thank you so much. Mahal ko kayo lahat!” K1NGKONG said to all the fans.

The MSC 2025 may have ended, but the legacy of these Filipino teams, together with their contribution on the international stage, remains.