Kiel “OHEB” Soriano was dead-set on leading Blacklist International to the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines Season Eight title.
Why? Let’s just say that the 17-year-old made a mistake that almost cost the team their entire campaign.
Already in the final juncture of the regular season, Blacklist International’s star gold laner made an obscene gesture during the post-match celebration of their emotional victory over Duane “Kelra” Pillas and Omega Esports.
The incident earned him a two-game suspension which caused him to miss the team’s final regular-season match against Bren Esports and their first playoff assignment, interestingly, against Omega Esports.
Without OHEB, who has been playing spectacular for the team all season long, Blacklist International struggled to find footing against Omega Esports, switching up roles in Game Four before eventually bowing via a tough 1-3 loss which sent them down the lower bracket.
OHEB then made his return against Nexplay EVOS in the lower bracket. And the rest, as they say, is history.
“Ano po kasi, talagang inspired ako na ipa-champion yung team ko ngayong season,” said OHEB moments after Blacklist International clinched its second-straight MPL title against ONIC PH via a dominant 4-1 result.
“Kasi kailangan ko talagang bumawi sa team doon sa nagawa ko kasi dahil doon nalaglag]kami sa lower bracket kaya sinabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na ibabawi ko sila tapos ibibigay ko sa kanila yung championship,” he added.
The team eventually dispatched Nexplay EVOS with ease before claiming sweet revenge against Omega Esports in the lower bracket finale – earning them a ticket to the MPL Season Eight finals where they took out ONIC PH via a 4-1 decision.
Promise fulfilled indeed for OHEB.
