Blacklist International extinguishes Burn x Flash, punches MSC grand finals ticket

PHNOM PENH - In front of a passionate crowd, Blacklist International doused host Burn x Flash, 3-1, to clinch a spot in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2023 grand finals Saturday at the Aeon Mall Mean Chey in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Blacklist will duke it out against the winner of the semis series between compatriot Echo and Indonesia champion Onic Esports, who will battle late today.

With three of her comfort heroes banned (Estes, Diggie, and Faramis) in Game 1, roamer Johnmar "OhMyV33Nus" Villaluna made a surprise pick as she selected Novaria, which paid off for the Codebreakers as she unleashed six kills and nine assists against two deaths. OhMyV33Nus and Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo then led a 2-on-5 defense at the base en route to the victory.

But Burn x Flash flexed its muscle in Game 2 with FIlipino import Mariusz "Donut" Tan leading the Cambodians with his Lesley, whose triple kill late in the match steered them to a series-tying win.

Blacklist woke up in the next game, only this time it was Edward "Edward" Dapadap who showed the way for the FIlipinos. His signature hero Joy dropped six kills and five assists and just one death for a 17-7 kill spread.

The win meant Blacklist is now a grand finals win away from securing the last missing piece in its trophy collection, which already includes the MPL Philippines crown and the M3 world championship title.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News