Smart Omega’s coaching staff had already expected that Blacklist International would choose them as their first-round opponent in the MPL Philippines Season 11 playoffs, knowing well what happened during their regular season head-to-head.
“Di na kami nagulat [na kami pinili nilang kalaban]. 0-4 kami sa kanila buong regular season,” assistant coach Patrick “E2max” Caidic told Tiebreaker Times.
Blacklist breezed through their matchups against Omega this season, who were still trying to find their rhythm with new additions in roamer Deomark “Mikko” Tabangay and midlaner Dale “Stowm” Vidor.
Omega’s Duane “Kelra” Pillas, along with exp laner Renz “Renzio” Cadua and E2max, have figured in numerous playoff matchups against Blacklist’s V33wise duo with exp laner Edward “Edward” Dapadap in the past, including the Season 7 grand finals, the MLBB Southeast Asian Cup 2021 grand finals, and the Season 8 lower bracket finals, where the latter won to take the last ticket to the M3 World Championship.
In Season 10, Blacklist, who finished the regular season as the top seed, also opted to go with Omega’s bracket. Omega, though, failed to hurdle their first-round opponents that time as they succumbed to a reverse sweep at the hands of Bren Esports.
According to head coach Tony “Ynot” Senedrin, the team is not really concerned about the matchup and remains focused on improving after their surprise early exit last season.
“Regardless kung sino makatapat ng team, I know the players are excited to prove that they deserve their spots,” he said.
“Having Blacklist as our first round though, I feel, makes it more special for the team. Having a chance to beat the most consistent team in MPL PH history in the first round is a great opportunity.”
Omega will have a chance to redeem themselves during their best-of-five series slated for May 4
