In a confirmation of pre-tournament predictions, Team SMG from Malaysia and Lilgun from Mongolia have clinched coveted spots for the highly anticipated fifth edition of the MLBB World Championship (M5) in the Philippines. Their triumph over six invited participants, including the fan-favorite from China and the Middle East, unfolded on Monday (26/11) in a revamped format designed to give emerging regions a shot at competing in the M5 Group Stage.
Both squads exhibited stellar performances from the onset of the M5 Wild Card’s group stage. Team SMG dominated Group A, comprising Niightmare Esports, 4Merical Esports, and the attention-grabbing underdogs from the Middle East, Team Falcons, securing a flawless three-point tally.
Simultaneously, Lilgun, positioned in Group B, mirrored their success by conquering Imperio, Umbrella Squad, and KeepBest Gaming—China’s inaugural representatives. Despite initial skepticism from some viewers, the Mongolian dark horse of IESF 2023 impressed spectators with impeccable teamwork and unwavering consistency.
The subsequent Crossover matches saw Team SMG facing Imperio and Lilgun squaring off against Niightmare Esports. Commencing the final day of the M5 Wild Card at JioSpace, Kuala Lumpur, Team SMG did their home crowd proud by dispatching their Argentine counterparts 3-1. Despite a tense moment in the third game, Captain Lu “Sasa” Khai Bean’s leadership spurred his teammates to thwart any comeback attempts by Imperio.
On the flip side of the bracket, Lilgun demonstrated dominance, overwhelming Niightmare Esports with a resounding 3-0 victory. Mid laner Amarmurun “Forbid” Mandah and EXP laner Enkhbat “Aizn” Munkharaa unleashed a relentless offensive, securing a flawless win and marking Mongolia’s debut in the M Series.
As the teams bask in their Wild Card triumph, the arduous task of sustaining peak performance and swiftly adapting to the prevailing meta looms large, as the true test awaits in the imminent group stage. Team SMG finds themselves in Group B alongside Fire Flux, RRQ Akira, and the M3 champions, Blacklist International.
Meanwhile, Lilgun braces for intense competition in Group C, featuring champions from their respective regions—AP Bren, Burmese Ghouls, and Team Flash. The M5 group stage is slated to kick off on December 2, promising fans an exhilarating display of skill as 16 teams vie for the prestigious trophy and a slice of the prize pool of US$900,000.
