MLBB: AP Bren survives tough Game 2 defense from Blacklist to win 2-0 sweep

Reigning MPL and M5 World Champions AP Bren opened up their title defense with a rematch against Blacklist International in what eventually became an instant classic.

The Bees won, 2-0 – but not without a masterclass in professional MLBB action that showcased what both teams, which have a rich history of top-tier rivalry, can offer.

Game 1 showed how AP Bren can swiftly command a Lord dance with Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo’s Grock pick setting the pace of the game with a wild charge.

A follow-up from Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano’s Karrie pick led to a double kill that set the stage for a Game 1 win.

However, it was in Game 2 when both teams really put up a memorable match that can definitely be added to both teams’ list of classics.

Blacklist International set up a defensive code that took AP Bren 33 minutes to break. Multiple back-and-forths and Lord dances followed, but the Barats pick by Michael “KyleTzy” Sayson proved to be the deciding factor – handing a clutch kill against Kiel “Oheb” Soriano in the final two minutes of the match. This eventually set the stage for the Bees to pick off the Codebreakers one by one to end the game.

AP Bren shrugged off any nerves during the 2nd game, owing it to their experiences battling teams from around the world.

“Chill lang kami at marami na kaming naranasan sa ganitong mga sitwasyon sa tournament at sa scrim kaya parang normal na lang sa amin na kalmado lang talaga,” David “FlapTzy” Canon told reporters in the post-match press briefing. “Sinanay na naman sa sarili namin na kahit parang nakakapressure na yung laro, parang wala lang sa amin.”

[TRANSLATION: We were just chill and we experienced a lot of these situations in tournaments and scrimmages, so it’s just normal for us to stay calm. We trained ourselves that even if the game was too pressuring, it as if it was not.]

FlapTzy even explained how they were able to secure the third Lord in Game 2 in a hilarious manner, referencing the skill of Blacklist International’s Stephen “Sensui” Castillo in mastering Lord dances.

“Nung naagaw niya (Sensui) yung Lord, parang wala lang sa amin e. Natatawa kami, nung last season, ganyan din yung nangyari sa amin eh, parang naulit lang. Kaya niremedyuhan namin, di na siya nakaulit. Nakadalawa lang siya, pero di na nakatatlo,” FlapTzy said.

[TRANSLATION: When Sensui was able to take the Lord, it felt like nothing. It’s funny because last season, that’s also what happened to us. It felt like it just happened again. So we put a remedy to it – and it worked, he wasn’t able to get one more Lord. He was able to get two – but not three!]

Blacklist International Assistant Coach Kristoffer “Bon Chan” Ricaplaza said, AP Bren had the momentum heading into the match.

“Siguro unang-una, nasa momentum sila galing ng sunod-sunod na championship while kami, nasa process kami ng pag-redeem namin na sa kanya-kanya naming mga sarili,” Bon Chan said. “Sa buong team namin, uy, Season 13 na, ipakita muna natin kung sino tayo. So far, even talo kami, kuntento kami sa naging result dahil nagawa na namin makipagsabayan, lalo sa sa last sequence na hindi niyo na alam kung sino yung mananalo, kung sino yung makakakuha ng game 2 na yon. So far, okay naman.”

[TRANSLATION: First off, the momentum was with AP.Bren’s side coming off of multiple championships while we are in the process of redeeming ourselves, our own team. It’s Season 13 now, we should show who we are. Even if we lost today, we are content so far with the result because we are now able to go against them, especially in the last sequence wherein nobody knew who’d win and who would get the second game. So far, its okay.]

Blacklist International will face off against Minana EVOS on Saturday while AP Bren will face off against TNC on Sunday.