Blacklist, Echo take early lead after MPL PH Season 12 opening week

Blacklist International and Echo - the two most recent world champions - took the early lead after an intense opening week of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 12.

The Orcas got off to a hot start, dealing the Codebreakers a 2-0 sweep loss on the opening day last Friday at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati with veteran jungler Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno leading the way in Game 1 on his Martis, unleashing a perfect 7/0/1 KDA.

KarlTzy, the MVP of the M2 World Championship, then also earned MVP honors in Game 2 as his six kills and six assists (Joy) steered the reigning world champions to the sweep win.

But Blacklist, whose main duo of Johnmar "OhMyV33Nus" Villaluna and Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario is currently on a break from competition, made sure to come back as it eked out a similar 2-0 win against RSG Slate Philippines the following day.

The returning gold laner Kiel "Oheb" Soriano dropped a flawless 5/0/7 line in Game 1 with his Lesley while Sensui (Baxia) took care of business in Game 2.

Blacklist, a three-time MPL champion, was also unstoppable in its clash against new-look Smart Omega as the Codebreakers spoiled the return of MPL Hall of Famer CJ "Ribo" Ribo and Joshua "Ch4knu" Mangilog.

They drew a 2-0 sweep victory as well with Renejay "Renejay" Barcase showing the lead in both games with his Khufra and Kaja.

Echo secured its second win in as many games after a comeback victory against Onic Philippines. Without team captain and veteran roamer Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera, the Orcas managed to escape Onic to improve to 2-0.

Blacklist, despite a 2-1 card, took the early lead with six points followed by Echo and AP Bren at second and third spots.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News