Debuting Aurora turns light on in sweep of Blacklist; Smart Omega spoils TNC

Aurora Gaming made sure to announce its arrival in style, dismantling Blacklist International with a 2-0 sweep to open its campaign in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 14 on Friday at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati. 

Aurora, a Serbian squad that recently entered the ever-growing MLBB scene, is now atop the leaderboard with a 1-0 win-loss card alongside Smart Omega. 

Bannered by three former Blacklist International players in Edward "Edward' Dapadap, Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo, and Renejay "Renejay" Barcase, Aurora made light work of the Codebreakers in the opener, cruising to a 7-0 kill spread highlighted by a massive wipeout at the 15:12 mark. 

That final clash also saw Blacklist's jungler Michael "MP the King" stealing the lord, but it did not make a difference as Aurora marched on the top lane, destroyed the lord, and ended Game 1 in just 15 minutes and 36 seconds. 

Yue ended up bagging the MVP plum for a perfect 2/0/5 KDA on his Zhask. 

Aurora displayed brilliance anew in Game 2 with former RSG Philippines star Jonard "Demonkite" Caranto (Fanny) unloading a maniac just before the 15th minute mark, leaving Jhon "Lord JM" Sebastian the only player standing. 

There was nothing Blacklist could do from that point on as Aurora sealed the deal for a 2-0 sweep. Demonkite took the MVP honors with an impressive 10 kills and one assist. 

In the first game, Smart Omega spoiled the coaching debut of former shoutcaster Caisam "Wolf" Nopueto, likewise routing TNC Pro Team with a 2-0 triumph to share the top spot with Aurora. 

Jomari "Jowm" Pingol (Harith) carried Omega in Game 1 with five kills and six assists against just one death  while Andrew Lew "Andoryuuu" Flora (Hanzo) took care of business in the second game.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News