Blacklist International averted a major upset, turning back Bren Esports in a 3-2 thriller to advance to the upper bracket finals of the MPL Philippines Season 10, Friday at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Quezon City.
The reigning world champions secured at least a third place finish and are now a win away from securing a spot in the M4 World Championships in January.
Blacklist International will face off against ECHO in the upper bracket finale tomorrow.
After playing from behind early in Game One, Bren Esports managed to pull out the stops needed to prolong the match against a surging Blacklist International.
However, the Tier One-backed squad got the much-needed separation during the 28th minute when they scored crucial kills on Kyle “KyleTzy” Sayson (Lancelot), Vincent “Pandora” Unigo (Masha), and Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel (Yve).
That proved to be it as Blacklist International went for the death push to secure a 1-0 lead.
Edward “Edward” Dapadap (Benedetta) led the way with three kills, a death, and four assists while Salic “Hadji” Imam had six kills, three deaths, and four assists on Xavier in the tight 13-11 Game One win in 28 minutes and 38 seconds.
Bren Esports bounced back in Game Two, taking an 11-7 Game Two win in 17 minutes and 27 seconds. KyleTzy’s Balmond led the way with three kills and five assists without a death.
Game Three went the distance but it was Bren Esports who came out on top after securing a crucial pickoff on Edward’s Benedetta before stealing the Lord in the 30th minute.
Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo (Mathilda) paced the 22-14 triumph after registering a game-high 17 assists.
With their backs against the wall, Blacklist International went back to their old, healing ways in Game Four and fielded Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna’s signature Estes and paired it with Hadji’s Faramis.
Hadji dropped a perfect 6-0-5 KDA line while OhMyV33NUS had two kills, two deaths, and 12 assists in the dominant 15-5 win in just 10 minutes and 26 seconds.
Blacklist International then sealed the series with a win in Game Five.
The Blacklist International-ECHO upper bracket finals clash will take place tomorrow, Saturday at 11:00 AM while Bren Esports will square off against reigning MPL PH champion RSG PH in the lower bracket semis at 3:00 PM.
