Blacklist International is banking on its team’s mental fortitude as the defending champions try to keep their repeat bid alive through the lower bracket in the final day of the MPL Philippines Season 8.
The MPL Season 7 kings are confident that the team can navigate through the unfamiliar territory where they need to overcome Omega Esports in the lower bracket finals to get a chance to defend its crown against Onic Philippines in the Grand Finals.
It will be a grueling final playoff day for Blacklist as it will engage Omega at 2 p.m. in a best-of-five series to start things off. Should Blacklist win in the lower bracket finals, the team will play another best-of-seven series against Onic later in the day.
Blacklist captain and tank/support Jonmar “OhmyV33nus” Villaluna’s expressed his confidence that the team is mentally prepared for their final push for the MPL S8 title.
“Yun naman yung lagi namin pina practice mental fortitude since MPL 7, ayun yung bukambibig namin. I think prepared naman kami if ever mag maximum na 12 games kami. Wala na kaming choice andito na eh so ibigay na lang naming yung best naming every match,” said the veteran shot caller.
Just like OhmyV33nus, Kiel “Oheb” Soriano is optimistic that the squad has enough experience to overcome the do-or-die matches in the final day. Oheb also insisted that their current situation is no different to their last season’s title run.
“Upper bracket kami nun (last season) pero nung nag-Finals do-or-die din. Ganun din. Kung gagapangin namin ‘yung lower bracket, do-or-die pa rin sa Finals,” said Oheb who had a triumphant return after helping Blacklist advance to the lower bracket finals.
“Kahit ano mangyari kung makapag Finals kami do or die pa rin kaya di kami papatalo. Dedefend pa rin namin yung crown.”
Blacklist will also try to avenge its 3-1 loss against Omega in the upper bracket where they badly missed the services of Oheb.