Hadji returns to form as Blacklist denies Bren graceful exit

Salic “Hadji” Imam returned to his old deadly form as Blacklist International swept Bren Esports, 2-0, denying the M2 champions a graceful exit in the MPL Philippines Season 8 on Sunday, October 10.

The Season 7 defending champions finished atop of the regular season standings with a 13-1 record despite missing the services of gold laner Kiel “Oheb” Soriano in its last game.

The absence of the sophomore gold laner was hardly felt by Blacklist as Hadji who returned to his natural role as a jungler, picked up the slacks for the Coach Bonn “Bon Chan” Ricaplaza-mentored squad.

The KDA Machine was back in full form after an 8-1-8 KDA performance on his Ling in Game 1 and an impeccable 11-0-10 KDA on his Lancelot in Game 2.

Bren, which played its second group led by Mico “Coco” Sampang, EJ “Ejhay” Sambrano and Raven “L3bron” Alonzo, had a hard time containing Hadji in Game 1.

Hadji’s Ling quickly snowballed and scored five early kills to set the tone for Blacklist’s 19-4 rout of Bren in the series opener

Mark Jayson “Eson” Gerardo returned to his roaming role and dictated the pace for his team on his Atlas with a 0-1-12 KDA while Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario, who moved to the gold lane, provided the damage from the distance using his Pharsa.

It was the same story in Game 2 as Blacklist punished Bren, 26-13 to close out the series. Eson shone anew this time on his Mathilda, scattering a 2-1-22 KDA to provide support to Hadji’s Lancelot.

OhmyV33nus also impressed in the Season 8 debut of his hero, Odette, finishing a 7-3-6 scoreline.

Bren ended the MPL season 8 with a 5-9 win-loss slate and at the seventh spot of the standings. Blacklist, meanwhile, will have a week rest while it waits for its opponents in the upper bracket.