The MPL ID S17 playoff race enters a phase where the favorites are clear, but the bracket still leaves room for disruption. ONIC arrive as the regular season leaders, yet BTR and EVOS remain dangerous enough to change the shape of the postseason.
Double elimination adds another layer of tension. A team that falls early is not immediately out, but one slip in the wrong bracket can still cut a championship run short before the grand final.
ONIC remain the standard
ONIC were the most consistent team across the regular season, finishing with 13 wins and only three losses from 16 matches. That record secured the top upper-bracket position and made them the clearest title contender in the field.
Their edge is reinforced by a lineup built around experienced names such as Kairi, Sanz, and Kelra, all of whom have already lifted international trophies. Even so, one matchup issue still lingers because ONIC did not find a way to beat BTR in the regular season.
BTR and EVOS bring the sharpest danger
BTR may be the most unpredictable team in the playoffs. They were the only side able to defeat ONIC in both regular-season legs, yet they also dropped a match to RRQ during a difficult stretch.
That kind of profile makes BTR a serious threat in any playoff meeting, especially because they sit in the same bracket path as EVOS. The two teams can meet early, and BTR also have a recent playoff memory to consider after EVOS eliminated them in MPL ID Season 16.
EVOS, meanwhile, reached the playoffs through a much harder route. They finished fifth with an even record of eight wins and eight losses after at one point sitting outside the playoff zone.
That recovery suggests a team capable of handling pressure when the stakes rise. If EVOS can keep mistakes low and sustain their level, they still have room to create a major upset.
TLID and Dewa United still cannot be ignored
TLID enter the postseason as one of the season’s biggest turnaround stories. After finishing bottom in MPL ID S16, they climbed all the way to second place in MPL ID S17 and now hold an upper-bracket advantage.
Their late-season form has been steady, with Aran and his teammates showing they can challenge strong opponents. In a double-elimination format, that stability matters because one loss does not end their title push.
Dewa United also arrived with a strong regular season overall, spending most of the campaign near the top and qualifying comfortably for the playoffs. Their form faded late, however, after four straight losses before a rebound against RRQ.
That dip raises questions about consistency, even if their best version still looks capable of making a deep run. The main task now is to avoid another losing streak at the worst possible time.
Geek Fam carry the underdog value
Geek Fam were the final team to secure a playoff berth, clinching qualification after defeating NAVI in a crucial late-season match. They closed the regular season in sixth place, which naturally lowers outside expectations.
That lower pressure can work in their favor. With momentum on their side and little to lose, Geek Fam could become the kind of dark horse that capitalizes when a stronger opponent loses focus.
In a playoff system built to reward resilience and punish hesitation, the margin for error is thin for every team still standing. ONIC may sit on top, but the bracket still contains enough volatility to make the road to the title far from settled.