
Blacklist International secured the top seed at the end of the regular season following its 2-0 sweep of Omega Esports in the MPL Philippines Season 8 on Friday, October 9.
Blacklist bounced back big time after taking its first loss against Onic Philippines last week. It secured full three points in its two-game victory over rival Omega to conclude the regular season at the No. 1 spot with 31 points built on its 12-1 win-loss record.
The road to the top seed wasn't easy, however, as Omega, the team it beat in the Grand Finals last season, once again proved why it is still one of the threats to Blacklist's throne in the playoffs.
Omega made Blacklist bleed for every point in Game 1 which went the distance with a season- record 38 minutes of play. With only the bases standing, the two teams went back-and-forth in the late game with neither of the sides giving an inch of advantage to the other.
Blacklist, though, made the clutch plays in the final clash, using the Lord take as a bait to take out three heroes on the side of Omega to end Game 1 in a 20-17 tally.

Kiel “Oheb” Soriano took the MVP honors with a 6-2-10 KDA on his Kimmy. Omega was paced by Christian "Raizen" Sumagui on his jungle Balmond pick with 9-3-3 KDA.

The grueling Game 1 took toll on Omega as it lost steam in the second match, failing to keep up with the defending champions led by Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario’s surprise jungle Bane pick who tallied a 4-1-5 KDA as Blacklist dominated Omega, 9-3 in just 12 minutes to close out the series.

Omega still has a chance to bounce back and improve its place in the standing when it takes on the streaking Nexplay Evos in its final assignment. Blacklist, meanwhile, will face the already eliminated Bren Esports in a non-bearing match on Sunday.