Blacklist International head coach Kristoffer “Bon Chan” Ricaplaza revealed that RSG Philippines’ Dylan “Light” Catipon and Omega Esports Kielvj “Kielvj” Hernandez were among the team’s choices to take the place of Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario and Jonmar “OhmyV33nus” Villaluna.
In a vlog posted on his YouTube channel, the champion coach shared the scenes behind their decisions in MPL season which led to the disappointing seventh place finish.
Bon Chan also explained that the team struggled playing around BLCK’s rookie Kent “Kevier” Lopez hero pool which majority are Assassin heroes. According to the veteran tactician, they needed an aggressive type of roaming and support – an opposite to Jason “Eson” Gerardo and Dexster “Dex Star” Alaba play styles.
“Hindi naging effective kasi meron kaming missing piece. Kung meron kang assassin main, kailangan mo ng aggressive na Pos (Position) 5,” said Bon Chan while also citing the current lineup of TNC that has an assassin main in Daniel “SDzyz” Chu and an aggressive roamer in Benthings Maglaque and Onic Philippines that has an aggressive support in Allen “Baloyskie” Baloy to complement Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol.
“Ang playstyle kase nila (Dex Star and Eson) ay pagiging defensive specialist. Kumbaga sila yung malakas mag-block, malakas mag-steal, pero hindi nagko-complement yung play style nila sa isang assassin user kaya hindi namin ma-unlock yung full potential ni Kevier," he added.
In an attempt to find a roamer that can complement Kevier’s play, Bon Chan said he tried to recruit Light. Unfortunately, he was set to sign with RSG.
“Tinanong ko siya kung may team na siya and unfortunately magsa-sign na siya sa RSG noong time na yun, pero sobrang happy ako dahil nakapasok siya sa team na sobrang pasok yung game play niya,” said Bon Chan who also considered Snap, Kevier’s former teammate for the position.
Aside from Kevier, another choice for the jungler position is Kielvj.
Bon Chan said there’s a similarity between the game plays of Wise and Kielvj which means the team won’t have to veer away from its patented UBE strat this season. Unfortunately, Blacklist didn’t have enough time to talk to Omega, Kielvj’s current team before the start of the season.
“Isa si Kielvj na nakitaan ko nang potential noong Season 8 kasi kaya niyang gamitin yung mga fighter hero na kayang gamitin ni Wise. Kaya niyang laruin yung Wise hero na marksman and fighter jungler so what if kung siya yung nakuha namin this season. UBE is back!”
A big ‘what if’ that the fans and the Agents could only imagine.