Blacklist snatches 3rd straight win, tussles RSG in 3

Photo from Moonton

by Drew Malihan

MAKATI - Blacklist International's hot streak continues as they grab their third straight win against third-seeded RSG Philippines to wrap up the MPL Philippines Season 13 regular season, two games to one.

With the win, Blacklist has locked themselves in the fifth seed, overtaking Minana EVOS, as well as getting 15 points out of a potential 18 in the last three weeks to finish with 22.

However, Coach Brian "Panda" Lim's boys didn't make things easy for the Codebreakers as the Raiders dominated the first game with a 23-6 beatdown, led by Jonard Cedrix "Demonkite" Caranto's Barats getting the MVP nod with four kills and 10 assists while getting all the major objectives.

Clarense "Kusey" Camilo's Harith also had a great 15 minutes with a 10/1/10 outing and Dylan "Light" Catipon's Franco assisted eight with the Franco while Edward "Edward" Dapadap's Benedetta had a hard time with a 2/6/3 output.

Salic "Hadji" Imam's Minotaur contributed to all of Blacklist's kills in Game 2 as they delivered a 15-8 drubbing of the RSG, while Stephen "Sensui" Castillo's Fredrinn got all the major objectives while contributing to 13 of Blacklist's kill scores.

This time, it was Kiel "Oheb" Soriano's signature Claude pick that led the Codebreakers in the kill department with nine, as they forced Arvie "Aqua" Antonio and Nathanael "Nathzz" Estrologo to use their ultimates before engaging in an all-out attack in the late game.

It was the same thing Blacklist pulled in the rubber match, with RSG leading for 14 minutes until Aqua and Nathzz fell down the count after a five-man gank from Dexter "Dex Star" Alaba's men.

From there it was all Blacklist as they capitalized on their late-game capability, with Oheb's Natan leading the way with a 9/2/4 outing, while Edward's Esmeralda caught both Nathzz and Light off-guard with the hero's sustainability.

Blacklist will see the White Tigers on the opening day of the playoffs on May 22 at the SM Southmall Events Center, as RSG are now set their eyes against second-seeded ECHO in the upper bracket semifinals.

Follow him on X: @drew_corner