The Upper Bracket Quarterfinals of group B heat up on July 24 at 15:00 CEST as ONIC Philippines (ONIC PH) face off against Aurora Türkiye (RORA) in a high-stakes Best-of-3 showdown at the Esports World Cup 2025. It's a battle between two organizations tied by history and two superstar gold laners at the peak of their powers.

Match Overview

ONIC PH 

ONIC PH entered this series as one of the tournament favorites. Known for their clinical teamplay, tight rotations, and calm under pressure, ONIC PH are no strangers to deep bracket runs. But what truly sets them apart this season is the form of Kelra, their gold laner and multiple-time MVP, who continues to put up massive carry numbers when it matters most.

Interestingly, ONIC PH's story is intertwined with the Aurora name. In MPL Philippines Season 15, ONIC had a fierce rivalry with Aurora PH, creating one of the most intense domestic narratives of the season. Now, they face Aurora Türkiye, a different region under the same brand, but the fire from that rivalry hasn’t faded.

Strengths:

• Strong late-game scaling
• Kelra’s consistent carry performances
• Strategic adaptability

RORA

Aurora Türkiye (RORA) might not have the same pedigree as their Southeast Asian counterparts, but they’ve earned respect for their achievements . At the heart of their success is Sigibum, a gold laner and multi-time MVP whose calculated aggression and sharp mechanics make him one of the most dangerous late-game threats in the tournament.

While RORA doesn’t share the same history with ONIC PH directly, the Aurora vs ONIC narrative carries weight, especially with ONIC still bearing the scars of their clashes with Aurora PH just a few months ago, although they managed to win with a score of 3:2.

Strengths:

• Sigibum’s gold lane dominance
• Bold, unconventional drafts
• High-risk, high-reward playstyle

The Main Matchup: Kelra vs Sigibum

All eyes will be on the gold lane, where Kelra and Sigibum, two of the most decorated carries in their regions, will face off in a potentially explosive duel. Both players are not just laning kings, they're their teams' primary win conditions. Each has earned multiple MVP honors across their careers and thrive when given space and farm.

The lane will likely be a warzone early, as both teams prioritize protecting and empowering their gold laners. Whoever emerges from the laning phase ahead could very well dictate the outcome of the series.

Prediction

RORA has the firepower to contest ONIC PH, especially with Sigibum’s high-impact carry potential, but ONIC’s structure, synergy, and Kelra’s experience on the big stage give them the edge in a drawn-out series. Expect RORA to steal one game through early tempo, but ONIC’s discipline should prevail. So I predict that ONIC PH will beat RORA with a score of 2:1.

ONIC PH and the Aurora brand have already written chapters of rivalry in the MPL Philippines, and now that tension echoes on the world stage. Both teams come in with elite gold laners: Kelra and Sigibum, players who are stars of their teams, although you can't erase the merits of other players.