Blacklist sweeps Smart Omega at start of MPL playoffs

Blacklist marches on to the next round of the MPL playoffs. MPL PH

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—Blacklist International drew first blood in the MPL Philippines Season 11 playoffs after shutting down Smart Omega, 3-0, on Friday at the SMX Convention Center here.

In the latest chapter in esports' own version of the "Manila Clasico", Blacklist defied pre-game odds and knocked out Smart Omega in style.

Blacklist even surprised Smart Omega in Game 3 when the team, known for its defensive approach almost all regular season long, went for the kill by playing the aggressors, leading to a 21-2 kill count.

"Yun yung isa sa mga naging mali namin noong regular season kasi nag-stick kami sa ganoong play style," head coach Aniel Jiandani explained the switch to a more offensive play in the clincher.

Blacklist, seeded third after the regular season, will face top-seeded Bren Esports in the upper bracket semifinals on Friday.

Bren assured itself a first-round bye after making the Top 2 in the preliminaries.

Jiandani, however, vowed that Blacklist will bring out more surprises against its fellow world champion.

"Marami pa kaming hinanda, so yun yung pwede nyo pang abangan sa playoffs," he further said.

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