By: Jan Marcus Montevirgen
After Blacklist International pulled off a massive upset against Falcons AP.Bren on Friday with a stunning sweep, John “Perkz” Sumawan was in tears as the series concluded.
This victory marked their second win in MPL Philippines Season 14.
Despite still being in a precarious position with a 2-8 record, sitting in seventh place, this win was monumental for Perkz and Blacklist.
They ended their back-to-back losing streak against the reigning world champions, who currently hold the second seed in the standings.
“Siguro kitang-kita sa reaction ko eh. Nanginginig ako kasi parang sobrang saya tapos may konting chills tsaka goosebumps kase siguro lahat ng team including kami, tinitingala sila.
“Tapos, malaking bagay na galing kami ng lose streak tapos mananalo kami sa top two na Bren,” Perkz shared in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.
The 20-year-old roamer delivered an impressive performance, showcasing game-changing plays throughout the series.
His efforts earned him the title of game MVP in Game 2, where he recorded an impressive KDA of 15 assists and four deaths on his Tigreal.
Reflecting on their victory, Perkz explained that the key to their success was treating scrimmages like tournament matches.
Given their tight situation, where one mistake could jeopardize their playoff chances, this approach became crucial.
He emphasized that his late-game decisions were vital during their recent matches, particularly noting areas of improvement from their practice sessions, especially in their previous encounter against Fnatic ONIC Philippines.
Despite achieving a significant victory against a powerhouse team, Perkz remains grounded, recognizing that Blacklist has yet to reach their peak performance.
He expressed confidence that the team has more to offer in their upcoming matches.
“Siguro parang andon na [yung perfect form], pero hindi pa kami sa peak. Kumbaga may mas mailalabas pa kami gawa ng itong lineup namin pinaparactice pa rin namin simula week five kase week six na ngayon. Siguro kung may mas ma-itatagal pa, may mas marami pa kaming mailalabas,” Perkz concluded.
