Blacklist International boosted its playoff bid following its crucial 2-1 victory over Nexplay Evos in the MPL Philippines Season 9 on Friday, March 25.
Edward “EDWARD” Dapadap and the return of Jason “Eson” Gerardo to the main five keyed the victory for Blacklist which improved to a 2-8 record with 11 points on the board to create a much-important three-point cushion over No. 7 team Omega Esports which had eight markers under its belt.
Eson and Edward gave the defending champions the much-needed lift in the winner-take-all as they manned the frontlines in Blacklist’s rousing 16-4 win in Game 3.
The three-time MPL champion provided the sustain and the clamps on Michael “MP the King” Endino’s Ling to finish with an efficient 0-1-14 KDA on the Tank Ruby while Edward provided support with a 1-1-10 line on the Esmeralda.
NXPE failed to get past the two to reach the Blacklist backlines, allowing its carry heroes in Kiel “Oheb” Soriano’s Beatrix and Kent “Kevier” Lopez’s Lancelot to dish out the damage during team fights.
Oheb, who returned to his signature Beatrix after using a surprise Ruby pick in Game 1, finished with a perfect 6-0-4 KDA while Kevier added a 5-1-6 tally.
The M3 World Champions actually had the chance to secure a sweep and the full three-points after a rousing performance in Game 1 behind Edward’s Benedetta.
Eson also showcased the newly buffed Grock in the opening series which dictated the early aggression for Blacklist evident in a sequence at the five-minute mark of Game 1 where it secured two outer turrets on top of a two-man pick off against NXPE.
Blacklist continued to roll from that point as Edward led the way with a 5-2-3 line while Kevier finished with a neat 5-0-4 tally on the jungle Karina.
NXPE, determined to arrest its three-game slide, battled back in Game 2 as it punished Blacklist’s jungle Hylos pick. MP the King fed on the perfect initiations of Renejay “RENEJAY” Barcase’s Jawhead to collect an 8-3-7 line on the jungle Karina while Elpizo added a 5-2-12 tally on the Pharsa pick.
NXPE fell to a 4-6 win-loss slate, still good for the No. 5 spot with 12 points.