Blacklist arranges M5 playoff clash vs. Onic Esports after shock loss to Fire Flux

Blacklist International failed to preserve its immaculate run as the Philippine bet fell prey to Fire Flux Esports of Turkey, 0-2, to close out the group stages of M5 World Championship on Thursday at the EVM Convention Centre.

The Codebreakers will still advance to the playoffs but the shock loss was costly for Blacklist as it forced them to set up an early playoffs date with Indonesian powerhouse Onic Esports by virtue of their 2-1 win-loss record to wind up second in Group B. 

Onic, which is bannered by two Filipinos in jungler Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol and coach Denver "Yeb" Miranda, is the reigning three-time champion of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Indonesia. 

The Turkish representative punished the Filipinos early with Rosa (Lylia) zoning the enemies while the rest of Fire Flux were taking down the second lord at the 14:20 mark of the opener. 

That move eventually proved pivotal for Fire Flux as the lord marched on the bottom lane followed by Rosa unleashing a double kill on jungler Stephen "Sensui" Castillo and mid laner Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo en route to the win. 

The Codebreakers could still not solve the puzzle come Game 2 with Tienzy (Guinevere) eking out a retribution play late during the fifth lord dance as they took down the base to complete a rare sweep victory. 

Rosa copped double MVP citations with his masterful use of Lylia and Valentina, steering Fire Flux atop of Group B with an identical 2-1 slate.

This is not the first time that Blacklist had to face Fire Flux on the big stage as the two met during the quarterfinals of MSC 2023 in Cambodia but it was the Codebreakers who emerged victorious at the time after a 3-0 sweep.

Fire Flux will take on Deus Vult of Germany in the playoffs. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News