Just when we thought Blacklist International’s 2021 record couldn’t get any more stellar, they’re closing the year with yet another victory in their history: The Mobile Legends M3 World Championship.
In an all-Filipino best-of-seven finale against Onic Philippines on Dec. 19 in Singapore, Blacklist International clinched the elusive Mobile Legends: Bang Bang world title after sweeping with a 4-0 scoreboard. “The best in the world. Hail the Queen and Kings of MLBB,” the team under Tier One Entertainment were celebrated on a Facebook post.
Their roster—composed of team captain Johnmar Villaluna (OhMyV33nus), Danerie James Del Rosario (Wise), Edward Dapadap (Edward), Kiel Calvin Soriano (Oheb), Salic Imam (Hadji), Mark Jayson Gerardo (Eson), Dexter Louise Alaba (Dex Star), and coach Kristoffer Ricaplaza (Bon Chan)—marks this as their third championship this year, a glorious streak after their back-to-back wins at MPL Philippines’ seasons seven and eight. They are also the second Filipino team to snag a world title after Bren Esports’ success in the M2 World Championships held in January.
With remarkable progress for the esports team, what could be next in their plans? In a post-tournament press conference, Hadji revealed that the team’s “next mission” might be defending the country’s MLBB title in the Southeast Asian Games, GMA News reports. In 2019, the Pinoy Mobile Legends team, dubbed Sibol, took home the country’s first esports gold in the SEA Games, the same year it was included in the multi-sport event for the first time. Blacklist have also expressed their interest in competing for the biennial tournament in June 2021.
But even if competing is still in their plans, other members are also keen on taking a break. Coach Bon Chan said, “Maybe for now, we’ll find some time to bond and go to vacation because we missed that as we were competing continuously.”
“For now, we will take a break. We have been competing for months now as after MPL PH Season 8, we fought in MPLI then here in M3,” added Dex Star.
The team also plans to donate part of their prize money to those affected by Typhoon Odette.
With recognition that’s long been overdue, it definitely is a fascinating time to be an esports fan in the Philippines. (Now, how do I brush up on my Stardew Valley skills?)
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Photo from Blacklist International’s Facebook page