Team Liquid Philippines’ title defense has come to an abrupt end after the reigning Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup champions were swept 0–2 by Peru’s Entity7 at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, France.
The shocking elimination means the defending champions will not even reach the knockout stage, while the tournament is guaranteed to crown a new MSC champion this year.
Defending Champions Fall Short
Team Liquid PH entered the MSC 2026 competition as one of the biggest favorites after winning the previous edition of the Mid Season Cup. The Filipino powerhouse also arrived in Paris as the reigning MPL Philippines champion, carrying high expectations from fans and the wider MLBB community.
However, their international campaign quickly turned into a difficult one.
After being sent to the lower bracket by Aurora Gaming, Team Liquid PH faced Entity7 in a do-or-die elimination series. With their tournament life on the line, the defending champions needed a victory to stay alive.
Instead, Entity7 delivered a decisive 2–0 sweep, ending Team Liquid PH’s run without a single game win at the tournament.
Entity7 Complete a Major Upset
Entity7, representing the Latin American region and Peru, produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by eliminating the reigning champions.
The South American squad showed composure throughout the series, taking advantage of its opportunities and maintaining control when it mattered most. Team Liquid PH, meanwhile, struggled to find the form that had previously made them one of the most feared teams in international MLBB competition. The result also marked a historic achievement for Entity7, as the Peruvian team secured a major victory over one of the strongest teams in the world.
A Rare Early Exit for the Philippines
Team Liquid PH’s elimination is particularly significant for the Philippines, one of the most successful regions in the history of international MLBB esports.
According to reports, Team Liquid PH became the first Philippine representative to miss the playoffs at an international tournament in the tournament's history. Their elimination also came without a single match victory, following consecutive 0–2 defeats in the competition. The result represents a dramatic reversal of fortunes for a team that had entered the tournament as the defending champion.
A New MSC Champion Is Guaranteed
With Team Liquid PH officially eliminated, the 2026 Mid Season Cup will crown a new champion.
The defending champions are no longer in contention to repeat their title run, opening the door for the remaining teams to claim the prestigious MSC trophy. The tournament is being held as part of the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. The MSC 2026 features a large international field competing for a share of a $3 million prize pool, with the event running from July 1 through August 1.
What This Means for the Tournament
Team Liquid PH’s elimination completely changes the competitive landscape of MSC 2026. The defending champions were expected to be among the leading contenders for the title, but their early exit creates a much more open tournament. Teams that may have previously been viewed as underdogs now have a clearer path toward international glory.
For Entity7, the victory provides a huge boost in confidence as the Peruvian squad continues its run at the event. Their win over Team Liquid PH also places a spotlight on the growing strength of the Latin American MLBB region. Meanwhile, the rest of the field will now compete knowing that the defending champion is no longer standing in their way.
The End of an Era — and the Beginning of a New One?
Team Liquid PH’s early elimination will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the biggest surprises of MSC 2026. From defending champions to an early group-stage exit, their campaign in Paris was far from what fans expected. However, the result also highlights the increasingly competitive nature of international MLBB esports, where even the most successful teams can be eliminated on any given day. A new Mid Season Cup champion will be crowned and with the reigning champions out of the competition, the race for the MSC 2026 trophy has officially become wide open.