Now back in the starting unit, Blacklist International star Kiel “OHEB” Soriano is looking to make up for lost time in the playoffs.
The 17-year-old pride of Tarlac was slapped with a two-game suspension prior to the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines Season Eight playoffs after making an obscene gesture during the team’s post-match celebration last October 9.
With the two-game ban, OHEB missed Blacklist International’s final game in the regular season and its first series in the playoffs against, interestingly, Omega Esports which the team eventually lost via a 1-3 standing.
OHEB finally made his much-anticipated comeback in the team’s lower bracket match against Nexplay EVOS and immediately made a splash, leading a statement 3-0 win to climb to the losers’ finale.
While the team offered no excuses, OHEB’s absence visibly played a factor in the sorry loss to Omega.
With that, he vowed to compose himself throughout the remainder of the season while also using the incident as added motivation in lifting the defending champions back to the grand finals.
“Maging kalmado lang ako, ‘di ako magpapadala sa emosyon tapos mas gagawin kong inspiration ‘yon para mas lalo kong i-bawi yung team ko kasi ako rin yung may kasalanan nun,” said OHEB during Blacklist International’s post-match interview.
“Ibabawi ko yung team ko, kukunin pa rin namin yung title,” he added.
OHEB showed no rust in his return, nabbing the SMART 5G MVP in Game One with four kills, a death, and nine assists playing Harith. He then put up three assists on his Nathan in Game Two before capping off the series with a 5-3-1 line with the same hero in the clincher.
Blacklist International is set to take on the same Omega Esports squad that sent them down the lower bracket tomorrow, Sunday for the final grand finals slot at 2:00 PM.
