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| Photo from MPL Philippines |
by Drew Malihan
MAKATI - Blacklist fans rejoiced as the Codebreakers defied the first-half slump and managed to clinch the last spot in the MPL Philippines Season 14 playoffs with some help from the team's former members who are in the new Aurora Gaming.
But the fun was short-lived, as Aurora became the team sending them packing.
Blacklist International's run ended abruptly as Aurora handed them a 3-0 sweep in the lower bracket finals Friday inside the Green Sun Hotel in Makati.
The men in white and blue needed an almost 13-minute Game 1 to go ahead their newfound rivals as Jonard Cedrix "Demonkite" Caranto registered five kills and assisted six more wioth the Ling.
Despite not getting a single turtle and being denied of the lone lord the entire game, Aurora needed just one team fight to wipe all five Blacklist members off the map, with several crucial plays from Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo to take the game.
Game 2 was a quicker affair with Renejay "Renejay" Barcase's Chou becoming instrumental after getting a 2/0/3 KDA in under 10 minutes as they deny Blacklist of even a single kill or major objective.
Edward Jay "Edward" Dapadap's Edith put up three kills and two assists, while Demonkite's Suyou assisted five while getting a kill of his own.
Aurora needed 16 minutes in Game 3 to seal the deal as Yue's Zhuxin assisted seven of 11 total kills, as Jan Dominic "Domeng" del Mundo put up six kills and an assist with the Beatrix.
Despite Salic "Hadji" Imam's 2/0/6 performance with the Aurora, it was not enough as Aurora shut their opposing side laners down, with Blacklist forced to retreat after a crucial team fight near the lord area only to take down their base.
Aurora Gaming will face reigning world champs Falcons AP.Bren looking to get their ticket to the M6 World Championships in Malaysia.
Follow him on X: @DMalihan_DPH
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