MPL PH Season 18 playoffs: six teams set, two M8 Worlds spots up for grabs

The six teams set to contest the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines Season 18 playoffs have been confirmed, according to Esports.gg News.

Team Liquid PH, Team Falcons PH, ONIC PH, Aurora Gaming PH, Omega Esports and TNC Pro Team qualified from the regular season and will compete in a hybrid elimination format running from 21 to 25 October.

The top two finishers will represent the region at the upcoming M8 World Championship, giving every series in the bracket direct qualification stakes.

Defending champions Team Liquid PH topped the regular season with a 12-2 record, with their only losses coming against Team Falcons PH and Aurora Gaming PH, per Esports.gg News. The side still rotates two gold laners, Kim "Dai Ki" Sebanes and Dave "Teddyqt" Viaña, after a disappointing showing at MSC 2026.

Team Falcons PH finished second in the regular season on the back of mid laner Salic "Hadji" Imam, who replaced Angelo "Pheww" Arcangel after the latter moved into a coaching role at ONIC PH. Esports.gg News notes the roster has still not broken through at major events, having placed second in MPL PH Season 17 and fourth at MSC 2026, and will look to better their 13th-16th finish at that tournament by going further than Team Liquid did there.

ONIC PH carried over its core roster, including Indonesian import Clayton "Savero" Kuswanto at gold lane, but has yet to beat either Team Liquid or Team Falcons in a series this season, according to Esports.gg News. The playoffs mark a chance to show the squad can still compete without former gold laner Grant "Kelra" Pillas, who is now with the organisation's Indonesian branch.

Aurora Gaming PH enters as reigning M7 World Champions but had a weaker regular season after a significant roster overhaul. EXP laner Edward's retirement and jungler Demonkite's loan to Indonesia's RRQ Hoshi brought in Nathanael "Nathzz" Estrologo and saw Kyle "Koyl" Reyes step into the jungle role. Esports.gg News frames the playoffs as a test of whether the reshaped lineup can defend its world title credentials by qualifying for M8.

Omega Esports underwent the most roster turnover of any qualified team but still improved on recent form, breaking a run of fifth-sixth place finishes to end Season 17 in fourth. The organisation, also known as Smart Omega, will aim to push past that podium position in the Season 18 playoffs.

TNC Pro Team completes the field as the sixth qualifier, fielding Nowee "Ryota" Macasa, Justine "Zaida" Palma, Ervin "Vinnn" Franco and Jomari "Jowm" Pingol among its named roster, per Esports.gg News.

With the bracket locked and two M8 World Championship places on the line, the hybrid elimination format gives Team Liquid PH's regular-season form no guaranteed advantage once the knockout rounds begin on 21 October.