M-series rookie Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo played like a veteran as he led Blacklist International to a clutch 2-1 win over Team SMG for their second victory in as many matches in the M5 World Championship Group Stage on Monday at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City.
The Tier One-backed squad improved to 2-0 and just needs Turkey’s Fire Flux Esports to take down Brazil’s RRQ Akira to ensure their appearance in the playoff round.
The three-time MPL champions though had to overcome a sloppy Game 3 early goings before dominating the rest of the way which the game casters attributed to the draft.
“I think yung draft is match lang,” clarified Blacklist coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani. “Meron silang mga dala, meron kaming mga dala.
“Maganda naman yung naging execution nila nung early game nung third game. Sadyang nakabawi lang kami nung pangalawang turtle fight. After nun, dun na lang nagsunod-sunod. Tingin ko mas maganda lang talaga yung naging execution namin. Hindi lang talaga siya sa draft,” he opined.
In Game 1, Stephen “Sensui” Castillo (Fredrinn) secured all turtle buffs and two lords as Blacklist took the opener with a 16-minute victory.
However, Aeliff “Smooth” Ariff (Benedetta) secured three quick kills early in Game 2, setting the tone for a rout as Team SMG scored the equalizer by the 11th minute, with the exp laner earning the game MVP citation courtesy of a 4-1-2 KDA.
The M3 World Champions had to rely on Yue in the decider as his Faramis pick proved pivotal in turning back an early game deficit and securing the win by the 17th minute.
He earned the game MVP award after finishing with a 2-1-7 KDA.
