Blacklist disbands MPL PH team

Blacklist is leaving MPL Philippines as a rumored Twisted Minds franchise takeover looms. Moonton (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANDALUYONG—Blacklist International has let go of its Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team.

The club confirmed on Tuesday rumors circulating at the start of the year that they are leaving MPL Philippines a month before the start of the league's 15th season.

"Though we believe in the future of the MLBB community, with a heavy heart, we bid a bittersweet farewell to the Blacklist MLBB men’s team," Blacklist said in a statement.

The Tier One Entertainment-owned team then confirmed that another squad would take over the franchise they would leave behind, although they did not disclose the new owner.

"The organization has decided to transfer our MPL franchise ownership to a new organization for MPL season 15. This difficult decision was made in response to the business opportunity that was presented to us which aligns with the new direction of Tier One Entertainment to go beyond esports," Blacklist further said.

Rumors are leaning toward Twisted Minds, a Saudi Arabian-based esports club, buying the franchise.

However, it may not be a lock-stock-and-barrel deal, as key players Michael "MP The King" Endino and Kiel "Oheb" Soriano are now linked to rumored transfers to See You Soon and Team Liquid Philippines, respectively.

Interestingly enough, the disbanding came 15 days after signing JM Sebastian to a permanent transfer deal following the end of a loan agreement with Bigetron Alpha.

Sebastian may be absorbed by the MPL PH newcomer.

Speculations about the impending departure were fueled by cryptic posts from head coach Kristoffer "Bon Chan" Ricaplaza just as the year 2025 was underway.

On Jan. 13, Ricaplaza said in a live vlog that an announcement was expected the following Monday while reuniting the main five of Blacklist's 2021 world championship team in what they tagged as "The Last Dance", which further triggered rumors that Blacklist could be leaving, following up with another cryptic post.

Although it came a day later than when Ricaplaza expected, Blacklist still announced the sad news.

"Our Mobile Legends: Bang Bang men’s squad was a team that literally changed the game: from the multiple championships, the UBE (ultimate bonding experience) strategy, and highlight reels, to our jersey designs and viewership numbers that made us the third most watched esports team in the world. We can stand proud knowing we wrote one of the most captivating stories in MLBB history. But like all great stories, everything must come to an end," the statement further said.

While Blacklist said that it is not ruling out an MPL PH return, the club will devote its time and effort for now to its other teams.

"While Blacklist International is open to reentering the league in the future, we want to use this time to reassess our position in the space. For now, the Blacklist International organization will be focusing our efforts on developing our rosters for our existing titles," the team continued.

Entering the MPL PH scene in 2020, Blacklist quickly emerged as one of the top crowd drawers in the league especially when they signed the VeeWise duo of Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie "Wise" Del Rosario.

Led by Villaluna and Del Rosario, Blacklist won three MPL PH titles including the 2021 grand slam, the M3 World Championship, and the 2022 Southeast Asian Games gold medal as Sibol national esports team's MLBB representative.

Last year saw Blacklist finishing fourth in both MPL PH Seasons 13 and 14.

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