Multi-titled Blacklist International announces exit from MPL PH

Decorated club Blacklist International is signing off.

The Codebreakers, who have won several titles in both local and international scenes, announced their exit from the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines on Tuesday, marking an end to a colorful five-year journey.

“Though we believe in the future of the MLBB community, with a heavy heart, we bid a bittersweet farewell to the Blacklist MLBB men’s team, as the organization has decided to transfer our MPL Franchise Ownership to a new organization for MPL season 15,” the team said in a lenghty Facebook post.

“This difficult decision was made in response to the business opportunity that was presented to us which aligns with the new direction of Tier One Entertainment to go beyond Esports.”

Formed in 2020, Blacklist International rose to success after ruling back-to-back MPL editions in Season 7 and Season 8. Those were followed by the Codebreakers’ hard-fought title run in the M3 World Championship in late 2021 which saw them capture the title all the way from a grueling lower bracket journey.

Their core also represented the Philippines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in 2022.

They struggled in MPL Season 9, but regrouped the following edition to reign supreme in Season 10, which earned them a berth for the M4 World Championship where they finished as runner-up.

They then marched to their third straight worlds appearance after finishing second in MPL Season 12, but only wound up third in M5 here in Manila.

Blacklist said the organization remains open to returning to MPL, but stressed their focus now shifts to their other teams in various titles.

“While Blacklist International is open to reentering the league in the future, we want to use this time to reassess our position in the space,” Blacklist said.

“For now, the Blacklist International organization will be focusing our efforts into developing our rosters for our existing titles.”

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News