Edward “Edward” Dapadap has been with Blacklist International since the organization entered the MPL Philippines back in Season 5.
Despite the team’s record of success over the years, the 19-year-old exp laner is still pursuing an elusive MSC title.
He came close twice, reaching the grand finals in 2021 and 2023, but ultimately succumbing to Execration and ONIC Esports, respectively, in the title match.
In an exclusive interview, Edward told Tiebreaker Times that he continued playing for nine straight seasons because he hoped to complete his international championship collection.
“Nakakapanghinayang din kasi gustong-gusto naming lahat makapagrepresent sa MSC, sa Riyadh. Isa din sa factor na wala pa kasi akong MSC title kaya gustong gusto kong makuha yung championship. Kumbaga, yun na lang yung kulang ko eh,” he explained.
Edward already has the M-series championship under his belt.
Blacklist looked promising heading into the playoffs as they built momentum, winning five of their last six regular season matches, including wins against contender teams Fnatic ONIC Philippines, Team Liquid ECHO, and RSG Philippines.
They carried the momentum into their preparations leading to the postseason, boosting the team’s confidence.
“Before mag-playoffs talaga, nakakuha kami ng momentum dun sa scrims namin. Kaya siguro namin natalo yung MINANA and ONIC,” revealed Edward.
However, they suffered back-to-back losses from the upper bracket to the lower bracket, crashing out of the playoffs and finishing fourth, Blacklist’s worst finish since a seventh-place finish in Season 9.
“May mga shortcomings lang talaga kami, especially against Bren. Kumbaga, yung mga basic nakalimutan namin, ganun. Yung sa laban sa RSG, unfortunately di namin nabreak yung morale nila,” explained Edward about their losses in the playoffs.
“Versus ONIC and MINANA kasi naka-nine games kami dun. Technically, nakita nila yung mga heroes namin pati strategies at rotation. Tingin ko naaral yun ng BREN at RSG. Di ko lang sure kung may disadvantage talaga yung galing sa play-ins or sadyang di lang talaga para sa amin this time.”
Despite the heartbreak, Edward hopes to continue playing as he aspires to finally bag an MSC title after coming close twice in the past.
