It’s been a tough past couple of weeks for Blacklist International.
After opening the fifth week with a 2-0 stomp of Nexplay EVOS, the reigning world champions suffered a heart-breaking loss to Omega Esports. They then lost once again in three games against Bren Esports in the following week.
That marked their second back-to-back defeats of the season.
To add salt to the wound, Blacklist International – who is representing the Philippines in the IESF World Esports Championship 2022 – failed to land a spot in the grand finals of the Southeast Asia leg. That then dropped them to a longer, tougher route to the main draw in Bali, Indonesia.
The team, though, managed to end its slump on Friday night after taking down ONIC PH in a dominant 2-0 fashion that propelled them to the MPL Philippines Season 10 playoffs.
Blacklist International team captain Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna said that communication was the key to ending the team’s slump.
“Nag-usap-usap kami. Communication talaga yung ano… Siyempre with the help ng management, kay boss Rada and sa cooperation ng players and coaches,” OhMyV33NUS said during the post-game press conference.
“Ayun, na-solve naman namin yung mga napagdaanan naming struggles.”
Personally, OhMyV33NUS said that the fans inside the venue also boosted her confidence. During the team introductions, the two-time MPL PH champion did her signature pose, which Blacklist International fans and some ONIC PH fans imitated.
“Siyempre, super saya. Kasama rin yung ONIC, ‘di ba? Sobrang saya. Isa yun sa mga nagpa-boost ng confidence ko sa laban namin sa ONIC,” she said.
OhMyV33NUS hopes that the team can sustain this energy as they eye one of the two upper bracket finals berths.
“Hopefully, magtuloy tuloy haggang playoffs hanggang makuha namin yung upper bracket.”
