For some reason, Bren Esports decided to skip the banning phase in Game Two of their 0-2 loss to defending champion Blacklist International.
Fans online may have found the move humorous, but for Blacklist International skipper Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna, the no-ban strategy was disrespectful to the league as a whole.
According to OhMyV33NUS, the strategy may set a precedent for other teams in the future and may put the league’s integrity in question.
“Mukhang nakakatawa siya sa paningin ng mga manonood and sa iba pero for me disrespectful siya in a way na puwede kasing magkaroon ng impact sa mga susunod pa na mga matches in the future na puwede siyang maging example or puwedeng gayahin ng ibang teams,” said OhMyV33NUS during the Blacklist International post-match interview.
“I think una pa lang siya ginawa. Even sa ibang MPL parang walang gumagawa nung ganun kasi para sa akin puwede ka namang mag-enjoy nang hindi ka gumagawa nang ganung klaseng act,” added the one-time MPL champion.
OhMyV33NUS bared that the team was caught surprised by Bren Esports’ act to the point that they even took it the team marshals.
“Actually, nung una nagulat kami kasi hindi sila nag-ban. Kinontak agad namin yung marshal tinanong namin kung remake ba ‘to or tuloy pa ba and then yung pangalawa and pangatlo na wala pa rin silang ban tinanong na namin yung marshal kung allowed ba yung ganito,” said three-time MPL Philippines grandfinals.
“Sinabi naman ng marshal and nung head ng MPL [league ops] na allowed daw so siyempre wala naman kaming say dun.”
Still, a win is a win for OhMyV33NUS and Blacklist International as they eventually bagged the game via a 2-0 sweep. They ended the regular season at the top spot with a 13-1 record laced with 34 huge points.
The Tier One-backed squad will enter the playoffs as the top seed and immediately proceed to the second round of the tournament.
“Pero for me personally, medyo disrespectful siya sa league kasi parang for me a, sa buong career ko sa MPL, parang ngayon ko lang ‘to na encounter and ngayon ko lang din nakita so nung una hindi ko alam yung magiging reaksyon ko.”
