Omega's Coach Pakbet reveals they predicted Blacklist's draft

Omega Esports and Blacklist International have been a regular fixture in high stakes matches in MPL Philippines since their grueling seven-game series during the Season 7 grandfinals. Saturday's second round encounter was no different.

Familiarity was Omega coach Jomie "Pakbet" Abalos' secret for finally decoding Blacklist, whom they hadn't defeated since their victory in the Season 8 upper bracket semi-finals.

"Ever since pumasok sila, hindi talaga sila nagbabago ng phase ng draft," the coach revealed to the press.

"Ewan ko lang sa ibang teams kung nakikita nila yung drafting nung Blacklist. Ako kasi nakalaban na namin sila nang ilang beses. Kabisado ko na kung saan sila malakas tsaka kung ano talaga yung kukunin nilang hero. Predicted talaga namin yun."

Omega reserve player Kiel VJ “Kielvj” Hernandez was even heard backstage shouting "Predicted!" as the two teams locked their heroes for the match.

Coach Pakbet left analysts and casters in awe during the series as he superbly countered all Blacklist picks during the draft.

In Game 1, he countered Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna's Faramis pick with the Balmond and Lylia picks that effectively limited the hero's sustain capability.

Despite losing in Game 1, Pakbet's draft made things hard for Blacklist as Omega was on the verge of an opening win if not for an ill-advised overcommitment towards the end within enemy base turret territory.

In Game 3, Blacklist decided to take Faramis and Balmond together to lessen the counters but Pakbet went for a Lylia and Julian pick that translated into an easy close out win for Omega.

The coach admitted, though, that preparing for Blacklist is no walk in the park.

"Kapag kalaban namin yung Blacklist, sobra yung preparation namin kasi alam namin last na laban namin, talo kami kasi nacomeback kami," he said.

"Tuwing kalaban namin yung V33Wise marami kaming natututunan. Matatalo man kami pero sa susunod na mga matches namin magiging dikit yung laban. Ibig sabihin nun nag-iimprove yung team pagdating sa mga shotcalling tsaka sa mga teamfight kasi doon malakas yung V33Wise eh."

—JMB, GMA News