The grand finals series of the MSC at EWC 2025 was a clash of legends. Beneath the spotlights and cheering crowd, Team Liquid PH challenged the defending champions, Selangor Red Giants OG Esports, and came away victorious with a 4-1 scoreline. On top of that, the team’s run was smooth as butter; they finished with a 100% series win rate.

But what made Team Liquid PH a championship-caliber team? What really distinguished the squad in Riyadh were three defining characteristics that saw them win through every battle, every pick, and every stomach-churning moment on stage. These three factors handed them not just the keys to victory, but the blueprint to become unstoppable.

A super team

The term “super team” can sometimes leave a bad taste in fans’ mouths, both in traditional sports and esports. It often carries the stigma of a roster that’s simply stacked with big names in hopes of finding a shortcut to success. But Team Liquid PH’s story is different. It wasn’t built just to gather the biggest names under one banner. It was built to push each player beyond their limits. 

The MSC at EWC 2025 Finals MVP, Sanford "Sanford" Vinuya, only began to thrive in the place he now calls home. Back in his rookie days, Sanford was just a substitute, always waiting patiently for his moment. That moment eventually arrived when he joined ECHO, now known as Team Liquid PH. He was immediately assigned as the team’s main EXP Laner. From that point on, he moved forward and never looked back. It was this team that believed he was deserving of walking side by side with the region’s finest. Years later, despite now having a Finals MVP and a championship trophy in his cabinet, Sanford isn’t just playing for glory. He’s staying to build an even greater legacy with the team that gave him his start.

Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno is the most decorated member of the squad. Aside from being a local fan favourite, he was part of the M2 World Champion squad of Bren Esports and brought home a Gold Medal as a representative of the Philippines in the 30th Asian Games. However, after achieving so much as a young prodigy, he began to seemingly plateau as a pro player. While the game evolved, KarlTzy fell into the habit of sticking to his comfort zone. He avoided learning new things and stagnated as a result.

Eventually, he made the leap of faith and left his former squad. It was one of the ways for him to be forced to take on new challenges and do better. He had to embrace change, a new meta as the Jungler, a new team, and a new environment — and his performance soared. Now, under Team Liquid, KarlTzy has cemented himself as the GOAT, with fans giving him the title as the Face of MLBB. He is not just a veteran of the team. He is one of the reasons why every member wants to improve.

Alston "Sanji" Pabico, the youngest of the squad, is a big fan of Red Bull. He used to — and maybe still does — chug down a can before every series. This led to fans joking that the energy drink was the reason for his explosive plays in the Mid Lane. But maybe he always had it in him. After all, when he debuted in the league in 2022, he didn’t just make waves — he lifted a world championship trophy.

The newest addition to the squad, Kiel “Oheb” Soriano, is no stranger to the big stage. Back in 2021, he and his former team pulled off an incredible run, winning MPL PH back-to-back and capping it off with a world championship title. But that’s not the most impressive part. When he joined Team Liquid, it was as if he had always been part of the roster. In just a short time, he built an effortless chemistry with the rest of the team as a Gold Laner. Oheb didn’t just adapt to a new environment. He learned to thrive in it, and made brothers of his teammates almost overnight.

Jaypee Gonzales “Jaypee” Dela Cruz has faced his fair share of criticism, much of it harsher than it should be. Every mistake he makes, no matter how small, seems to get magnified and scrutinized. Yet despite the noise, Jaypee never faltered. He took it on the chin and proved through his gameplay that he was more than just a scapegoat. The casters even turned the narrative on its head, playfully “blaming” him whenever the team pulled off an impressive play. So now, whenever Team Liquid PH wins, you can go ahead and blame Jaypee for that, too.

The Cavalry Express

When Team Liquid PH is on a roll, fans often call it the Cavalry Express. This is because whenever they pick up speed, they become an unstoppable force. Each player has their own role in the synergy that powers the squad’s engine, like pistons moving in perfect sync. And just like a runaway train, they crash through any obstacle in their path.

Part of what makes the Cavalry Express such an unstoppable force is the unique synergies between its players. Even though the whole team works in tandem, there are certain duos that fans love to point out.

The SanSan Duo, comprised of Sanford and Sanji, has unrivaled chemistry together. When they are in the game, it’s almost like they have a telepathic connection when it comes to anticipating each other’s places. Sometimes, the reaction times are so quick that you would question if they ever had comms or just acted on instinct. Whatever Sanford does in the game, Sanji will be there to back him up. The duo keeps Team Liquid PH’s momentum alive, ensuring the tempo never falters.

The newest pairing to capture fans’ hearts is, brace yourself, the Babycakes Duo of KarlTzy and Oheb. Now, before you raise an eyebrow, there’s a story behind the name. Fans noticed how KarlTzy was always right there whenever Oheb needed backup, swooping in at critical moments to keep him alive. Given that the Gold Lane marksman is often the squad’s core damage dealer, it makes perfect sense for the Jungler to shield him at all costs. Their partnership became so beloved that it even inspired fan art for their in-game chemistry. 

Now we have the oldest member of the squad, Jaypee, the roamer, and the heart of the squad. He may not have a signature “duo” like the others, but that’s because he’s the glue holding the entire team together. In every situation, whether in the heat of battle or outside the game, the team counts on him to be at the forefront, doing whatever it takes to support everyone. He’s so beloved within the squad that when waves of criticism came his way, the entire team rallies to defend him. This is proof of just how much he means to them both as a player and as a leader.

A passionate and loving coach

Of course, victory is never written by just the players. The conductor of the Cavalry Express, the one who makes sure everything is running properly, is the team’s head coach Rodel "Ar Sy" B. Cruz. Some coaches focus on having the best draft for their team. Others focus on reducing the options their enemy has. But for Coach Ar Sy, it’s both. He always makes sure his team gets the best draft possible while also taking the opponent’s picks into consideration. 

You’ll find his drafting to be brutal, often anticipating enemy picks and cooking up counter-picks that leave opponents scrambling. But outside the game, he’s a spiritual leader for Team Liquid PH. 

Back when he coached Falcon Esports, the people of Myanmar welcomed him like family, a gesture he never forgot. And when Myanmar was struck with a devastating earthquake, impacting his former team, he was one of those who lent a hand to his brothers in need. That bond inspired him to pledge half of his MPL PH Season 15 winnings to support Falcon Esports, proving that his leadership goes far beyond the battlefield.

So what exactly makes a championship team? It’s not just about being good at the game. It’s about being a group of people that have weathered storms together, carrying scars and stories that make every victory sweeter. It’s about lifting each other up when the weight feels too heavy, and making sure no one gets left behind. 

Team Liquid PH isn’t just any other roster — it’s a team, connected by struggles, comebacks, and unshakable trust. That’s what makes a champion.