After an unbeaten streak that lasted for four weeks, Blacklist International has suffered their first loss of the season on Thursday evening.
This, as The Tier One-backed squad found themselves on the losing end after a tight 1-2 encounter against the defending champions Bren Esports in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines Season Seven regular season.
And the end of Blacklist International’s seven consecutive victories gave birth to another winning streak – CJ “Ribo” Ribo’s Chang’e.
“Ayun, Chang’e no deaths e.
“Tignan niyo hindi nga maka-clear, hindi nga ma-push yung mid sobrang tagal. Talagang mailap, 7-0 na si Ribo dun,” said sixth man and analyst Dexter “DEX STAR” Alaba in Blacklist International’s post-match interview.
Blacklist International’s sustain-game propelled them to a 15-11 victory in the series opener.
But once the GOAT finally got his hands on Chang’e on Games Two and Three, that’s when things started to turn upside down for the once undefeated squad.
Ribo’s Chang’e, who finished the series without a single death, was a consistent threat to Blacklist International in Games Two and Three.
The two-time MPL-Philippines champion finished with a 4-0-4 stat line in Bren Esports’ 11-12 series-altering Game Two, while following it up with three kills and seven assists in the dominant 14-5 Game Three win — which sealed the reverse sweep.
Blacklist International’s Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario and Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna even noted that the Chang’e was a worthy ban against the reigning world champions.
“Chang’e talaga yung nag pahirap. Kaya yung mga makakalaban ng Bren sa future bantayan niyo yung Chang’e nila,” said OhMyV33NUS.
“‘Pagka-hinaharangan mo parang ang sakit, basta ganun. Worth it siya [i-sama] sa first three bans. Nahirapan talaga ako sa Chang’e,” Wise echoed.
Ribo’s Chang’e is currently undefeated in Season Seven with a current standing of 7-0.
Despite the loss, Blacklist International remained positive with the outcome. After all, it was the reigning kings of Mobile Legends who dealt them their first loss.
“Para sa akin, kung meron ‘man akong gustong makatalo sa win streak namin dun na siguro sa marami ng napatunayan para hindi ganun kasakit,” explained OhMyV33NUS.
“Oo, at least yung nakatalo sa amin yung may title na best in the world,” added coach Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza.
