Blacklist drawn into tough MSC group with Malaysian, Mid-East champs

Blacklist's MSC group could arguably be the "group of death". MPL Philippines (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—Blacklist International found itself joining two domestic league champs to begin its campaign in the Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup following the group draw on Friday.

Blacklist, the runner-up in the MPL Philippines Season 11, was drawn into Group D with Malaysian winner TODAK and Middle East champion Team Occupy.

Meanwhile, Echo, the reigning Philippine champ, begins its road to a calendar year treble with showdowns against inaugural Turkish league champion Fire Flux Impunity and Laotian club Team EVO, which went through the Mekong Qualifiers.

Group B sees an all-Southeast Asian trio consisting of Indonesia's EVOS Legends, Myanmar's Fenix Esports, and RSG Slate Singapore.

Group C, on the other hand, consists of Burn X Flash of host country Cambodia featuring Filipino import Marius Tan, ONIC Indonesia, and American side Outplay.

The MSC group stages are set from June 10-13 with the playoffs happening from June 15-18 at the Aeon Mall in Phnom Penh.

For the first time ever, the MSC has allowed non-Southeast Asian teams to qualify, paving the way for FFI, Occupy, and Outplay to join.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno