The ‘Hack-a-V33NUS’ strategy is now at full swing.
This, as teams in the MPL-Philippines are starting to pick up the trend of target-banning Blacklist International captain Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna whenever they faced the Tier One-backed squad.
Well, let’s just say that the move did more harm than good for the teams who tried to implement the strategy.
During the Execration-Blacklist International bout on Friday, the team backed by LuponWxC decided to removed Diggie, Estes, and Rafaela, respectively in Game One at the first phase of the draft. Execration also banned out in the same pattern come Game Two to cancel out the former ONIC PH support.
“Expected na namin yun kasi ilang beses na naming nakalaban yung Execration so expected na namin na medyo nakaka-adapt na sila on how to adjust sa mga bans sa akin kaya expected na talaga namin yung ganung scenario,” said OhMyV33NUS in Blacklist International’s post-match interview.
With the three constantly banned out, the Mathilda was left wide open for OhMyV33NUS in both games.
And boy, he made them pay.
OhMyV33NUS collected 10 assists and three kills against five deaths in Blacklist International’s tight 20-16 Game One victory. He then followed it up with nine assists, a kill, and three deaths, including a clutch save on Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario’s Yi Sun-Shin through his Guiding Wind, in the 13-9 Game Two win.
“For me, huwag silang tumigil mag-ban kasi mas marami kaming play kung mao-open yung Estes and Rafaela,” quipped OhMyV33NUS.
“‘Pag ‘di sila nag-ban ng ganun para na silang nag concede,” echoed Blacklist International coach Kristoffer “BONN CHAN” Ricaplaza.
Blacklist International, who holds the top spot in Group A with a 2-0 card and five points, looks to make it three wins in a row against Laus Playbook Esports on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.