MDL Philippines Season 8 Preview: Format, Rosters, and First-Round Schedule
Yesterday, August 25, the first matches of MDL Philippines Season 8 kicked off. The tournament format, team rosters, prize pool distribution, and first-round schedule are covered below.
Tournament Format
The regular season began on August 25 and will last for an unspecified period of time. The stage is divided into three parts: the group stage, the “Last Chance,” and the play-ins.
Group stage matches are played in a round-robin format with best-of-three (bo3) series. The top three teams will advance to the play-ins, while the rest will head to the “Last Chance” bracket.
The “Last Chance” format is single-elimination, with matches played to three wins. The winners of the second round will advance to the play-ins, while the other teams will be eliminated from the tournament.
The regular season play-in will use a Swiss format, with teams needing two wins to advance. Teams with a 2-0 record will advance to the playoff semifinals; a 1-1 record will send teams to the quarterfinals; and two losses will result in elimination from the competition.
The date for the MDL Philippines Season 8 playoffs is currently unknown. The stage format is single-elimination with best-of-5 (bo5) matches, except for the grand final, which will be a best-of-7 (bo7).
List of Participants
Aurora Hunters
- Adrian “VLADD” Karapas (explainer);
- Gabriel “DENJIRO” Guinto (jungler);
- Christler “Eskapo” Vivar (mid);
- Michael “Atams” Ousebio (top laner);
- Reo “Dameon” Yabo (roamer);
- Sin “Deb” Reyfon (head coach);
- Trazhty (analyst).
ONIC Uprising
- Nagi (explainer);
- Keira (jungler);
- Jermaine “Aizawa” Fernandez (mid laner);
- Masayuki “YukTzy” Fujita (top laner);
- Maven (roamer);
- Enzz (substitute, mid laner);
- Kenshi (head coach).
Team Falcons Academy
- Rhylie (explaner);
- Veyn (jungler);
- John “Yuusha” Trabado (mid);
- Arisze (top laner);
- Lawrencio (roamer);
- Cyprus (substitute, mid laner);
- Eds Dro (coach).
Team Liquid Academy PH
- Mark “Kram” Roblas (explainer);
- Lei “Leix” Feria (jungler);
- Edseli “Starboy” Sambilla (mid laner);
- Aizu (top laner);
- Dekuu (roamer);
- High (sub, flex);
- James “Jayce” Salibay (coach).
TNC x Voltes PH
- Angelo “Deku” Pons (explainer);
- Paul “Bomba” Manuel (jungler);
- Estefán “Zeno” Ascura (mid laner);
- Patrick “Lawtrick” Siego (gold laner);
- Vincent “Yusuke” Tenedero (roamer);
- John “Hecate” Tebios (substitute, jungler);
- Mikey “DQ” de Quiros (head coach).
Twisted Minds RWE
- Jondi “Nibor” Ranku (explaner);
- Ron “Matt” Papag (jungler);
- RKY (midlaner);
- Christian “West” Mangabey (goldlaner);
- Reginald “Regi” Belyuot (roamer);
- Ajay “Ajayy” Rubio (substitute, explainer);
- Caesar “Amethyst” Santos (coach).
Minerva Esports
- SULTANNN (explainer);
- SDash (jungler);
- Lesz (mid laner);
- Payam (top laner);
- Renz (roamer);
- Maw (substitute, mid laner);
- Drake (head coach);
- Sej (analyst).
Shinori x Totch Esports
- Vlazz (commentator);
- Sena (jungler);
- Naga (mid laner);
- Maki (top laner);
- Kiri (roamer);
- Mateyuu (substitute, explainer);
- Kenma (substitute, mid laner);
- Mireu (head coach);
- Kyleu (assistant coach).
Martial Mayhem TM
- FLACCKKOOOOO (commentator);
- Kyano (jungler);
- Cinderella (mid laner);
- Thyron (top laner);
- Ayorn (roamer);
- Rshark (sub, flex);
- Noize (coach).
Dewa United PH
- Dos (Explainer);
- Angelo “Draven” Adalia (jungler);
- Zeyyy (mid laner);
- Justin “Takgu” Alferes (top laner);
- Jerico “Uno” Livanaag (roamer);
- SuperPlaymaker (substitute, mid laner);
- Keith (head coach);
- Ruri (analyst).
TEAM FUEGO
- Rill (commentator);
- Angelo “Draven” Adalia (jungler);
- Zeyyy (mid laner);
- Justin “Takgu” Alferes (top laner);
- Jericho “Uno” Livanaag (roamer);
- SuperPlaymaker (substitute, mid laner);
- Keith (head coach);
- Ruri (analyst).
Panthera DE
- Leizuu (explainer);
- Kaitu (jungler);
- Blaire (mid laner);
- Raiser “ISO” Cruz (gold laner);
- Lumen (roamer);
- LeiseGod (substitute, goldlaner);
- Hezzadenca (coach).
Prize Pool Distribution
The prize pool for MDL Philippines Season 8 is currently unknown. The winning team will be invited to the MLBB Championship Tour SEA 2026.
- 1st place — a slot in the MLBB Championship Tour SEA 2026.
First Round Schedule
August 25, times listed in Moscow time:
- 9:00 a.m. — Minerva Esports 0–2 Team Liquid Academy PH;
- 11:00 — TNC x Voltes PH 1:2 ONIC Uprising;
- 1:00 PM — Twisted Minds RWE 2–0 Aurora Hunters.
August 26
- 9:00 a.m. — Panthera DE 1:2 Team Falcons Academy;
- 11:00 a.m. — Shinori x Totch Esports vs. Dewa United PH;
- 1:00 p.m. — TEAM FUEGO vs. Martial Mayhem TM.
Philippine lighting studio
- Aime;
- Airam;
- Rikaeks “Athena” Paloma;
- Bipoler;
- Gretchen “Greatchen” Alunan;
- Jelena;
- Miggy;
- ONEL;
- Bennett “Prof B” Felix;
- Glez “Qwerty” Cruz;
- Rare Candy;
- Ray “Ray Ash” Gonzalez;
- John “Rockhart” To;
- Erjay “Santie” Magkalas;
- Sokbi;
- Soni;
- T2Woop;
- TooFast;
- Rolen “Yaku RON” Susi.
Where to Watch MDL Philippines Season 8
-
Philippines broadcast:
- YouTube: MDL Philippines.
Photo — MOONTON Games.
