PHNOM PENH – Indonesia reclaimed its spot at the top of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports scene in Southeast Asia and finally ended the Philippines’ four-year dominance in the region.
ONIC Esports completed its undefeated run in the 2023 MSC, taking down Filipino squad Blacklist International, 4-2, to claim its second title in the tournament at the Aeon Mall Mean Chey here, Sunday.
This is Indonesia’s first championship in a Moonton-organized event since EVOS Legends won the M1 World Championships back in November of 2019. It was also that same year when ONIC Esports bagged its first MSC championship in Manila.
Filipino jungler Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol and head coach Denver “Yeb” Miranda has now helped ONIC Esports win two MPL Indonesia titles and its second crown in Moonton’s mid-season international tourney.
The reigning MPL Indonesia champion took control early in Game 1, establishing a 5K gold advantage over the Tier One-backed squad entering the 10th minute mark after snagging four turrets and one turtle.
Blacklist International tried to make a run for the first Lord while ONIC Esports’ heroes were scattered around the map but the latter eventually made their way back to the Lord pit and stole the objective from the Filipinos en route to a 14-6 win in 11 minutes.
The three-time MPL PH champion started Game 2 on the right foot but was unable to convert their objectives late in the match which gave ONIC Esports the opportunity to seal the game with a three-man wipe entering the 20th minute.
With their backs against the wall, Blacklist International showed signs of life in Game 3 and dealt ONIC Esports its first game loss – ending a 26-game winning streak which dated back to the MPL ID Season 11 – via a tight 18-17 win behind Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo’s Yve, who tallied six kills and 10 assists against two deaths.
ONIC Esports wasted no time bouncing back with Kairi bringing out one of his best assassin heroes in Fanny. The Filipino jungler scored four kills and two assists without a death to steer the Indonesian squad to a 12-2 triumph in Game 4.
Facing elimination, Edward “Edward” Dapadap’s Lapu Lapu carried Blacklist International to a wire-to-wire 19-4, Game 5 win in 17 minutes and 16 seconds. He finished with a perfect 6-0-6 line to keep his team alive in the series.
The Indonesians completed its title campaign with a win in Game 6.
