Blacklist clinches MSC '23 QF seat, axes MENA's Occupy

Facebook / Mobile Legends Esports

by Drew Malihan

PHNOM PENH - MPL Philippines Season 11 runners-up Blacklist International make quick work of Middle East's champs Team Occupy to secure their MLBB Southeast Asian Cup quarterfinals ticket Monday inside the AEON Mall.

Aniel "Master The Basics" Jiandani's squad showed their resilienbce as they overturn an early Occupy lead in the early game with a crucial turtle take in the sixth minute from Danerie James "Wise" del Rosario and Edward Jay "Edward" Dapadap.

From there it was all Blacklist from the mid to the late game as the rest of the Agents followed suit, capped off by Edward's Final Slash with his Arlott, and an MVP performance from Kenneth Carl "Yue" Tadeo's Yve with a 5/0/12 KDA.

It was a different Game 2 for the Codebreakers as they fielded an all-familiar lineup with Edward's signature Benedetta and Jonmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna's Diggie to counter the all-damage Team Occupy five led by Amr "Maro" Khaled's Angela.

Blacklist mastered the early to mid game with a 6-1 kill lead, despite Team Occupy's damage being felt from the sixth minute onwards, primarily from Belal "Speedy" Dahab's Moskov.

But the Troopers' damage weren't enough to deter both Edward and OhMyV33nus as they took down Maro and Speedy in the top lane, enough to ward off the MENA champs and secure the crucial lord en route to a 2-0 finish, with Edward's 4/1/4 performance getting the MVP honors.

With the MENA representatives out of contention, Blacklist will see fellow quarterfinalists Todak next tomorrow for a chance at Group D's top spot.

Follow him on Twitter: @drew_corner