Blacklist International’s playoff mode in MPL Philippines Season 13 may have proved doubters wrong as they took down two potential juggernauts to keep their own playoff dreams alive.
Blacklist survived both a resurgent Minana EVOS and a rebooted Fnatic ONIC Philippines in a 3-2 and 3-1 outing, respectively, sending both teams out of playoff contention.
Game 1 saw ONIC Philippines win handily in close to 16 minutes, thanks to Joemarie “Escalera” Santos’ leadership.
However, Blacklist’s midlane magician, Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo, went full on beast mode in a lengthy game 2, with his Vexana pick sparking a double kill that knocked down 4 from Fnatic ONIC PH. He eventually got a 2-1-11 KDA nod for his stellar performance in the round.
By Game 3, Salic “Hadji” Imam proved why he is one of Blacklist’s most versatile players in its history, initiating quality team fights that got the codebreakers to a hot start in just the second minute of a faster-paced 15-minute classic. He eventually got a 3-2-6 KDA for his phenomenal opener.
With the game reaching match point quickly, Edward “Edward” Dapadap’s Arlott pick delivered what was the match-taking play for Blacklist International, silencing Duane “Kelra” Pillas’ Claude pick during a late 18th-minute battle that enabled Blacklist to close the match.
Earlier in the day, Blacklist International survived a 5-game best-of-5 against Minana EVOS, 3-2, ending the White Tigers’ playoffs bid, their first since Season 11.
Blacklist International will face off against Falcons AP Bren in an MPL Philippines Season 12 Grand Finals rematch today.