Reigning champion RSG PH and defending world title-holders Blacklist International faced off for the first time on the MPL Philippines Season 10 stage for the first time on Sunday night.
And the much-anticipated clash between two of the best teams in the globe definitely did not disappoint, with Blacklist International needing more than 30 minutes to finish off RSG PH – and a crucial shot call coming from Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna – in the winner-take-all Game Three.
Entering the 32nd minute of the nail-biting decider, OhMyV33NUS (Mathilda) saw Eman “EMANN” Sangco (Beatrix) clearing the wave of minions in the middle lane. He instructed Edward “Edward” Dapadap (Esmeralda) to flank the RSG PH gold laner.
OhMyV33NUS’ plan worked wonders for Blacklist International while Edward caught EMANN with his Falling Starmoon. That ignited the game-winning clash that saw them score a five-man wipe for the win.
“Si momshie po kasi alam niyang nagki-clear yung Beatrix sa mid kaya cinall niya ako na ikutin ko yung Beatrix para mahuli ko and ayun, napatay namin yung Bea and nanalo kami sa clash,” Edward said after the game, immediately deflecting the credit to his team captain.
“Siguro maraming beses na rin kaming may napagdaanan na long games. Marami na e, nung Season Seven, Eight, M3. Kaya parang nandoon pa rin yung composure namin kahit na ilang games na, ‘di kami nawawala doon sa objectives namin,” he continued.
The victory placed Blacklist International, who swept its fourth-week assignments after going winless in the previous week, at the top spot after the first round with a league-best 14 points off a 5-2 win-loss standing.
But what made the week sweeter for the 17-year-old EXP laner is the fact that they finally eclipsed their three-win campaign in Season Nine.
“Ayun, tingin ko kaya naman talaga naming nung Season Nine kaso lang kinulang talaga kami sa practice and ayun, babawi kami ngayong Season 10.”
