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With an expanded cast, Echo and Blacklist gets to see more Western-style MLBB gameplay in the MSC. MPL Philippines (file photo) |
TIAONG—They could be the perceived favorites ahead of the tournament, but both Echo and Blacklist International believe that inviting non-Southeast Asian clubs to the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup gives them a chance to learn the ropes of how the Mobile Legends pro circuit is done elsewhere.
For the first time, the MSC has opened its doors to teams outside of the ASEAN region, paving the way for Egyptian outfit Team Occupy, Turkish club Fire Flux Impunity, and American team Outplay to complete this year's cast.
For Blacklist head coach Ariel Jiandani, this is a chance for them to see what the West has to offer.
"Magandang hindi lang Southeast Asia ang MSC para ma-experience namin ang iba't-ibang regions," Jiandani said during an online press conference on Friday.
For Echo assistant coach Robert Sanchez, on the other, this is an opportunity to see what they can work on.
"Masaya kami kasi mae-experience namin na makakalaban namin sa MSC yung non-Southeast Asian teams. Siguro mas mae-extend yung knowledge namin," Sanchez said.
Blacklist was drawn with Occupy in Group D, while Echo and Fire Flux Impunity were drawn into Group A.
Outplay, which came on as a substitute for North American champs BTK due to passport and parent's consent issues, is in Group C with de facto host team Burn X Flash of Cambodia and ONIC Indonesia.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno