Cover-Credits:
The first week of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL) Philippines (PH) Season 9 opened on a high note as the first game involved a rematch between the defending champions, Blacklist International, and last season’s runnerup, ONIC PH. Blacklist International opened up with the iconic UBE Strategy but it did not work out well for them without the dynamic duo of Jhonmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie "Wise" Rosario leading the team. Blacklist International opted to use a much more aggressive approach with its assassin specialist Kent "KEVIER" Xavier Lopez as the jungler, but ONIC PH eventually spearheaded the series and secured a 2-1 victory against the defending champions.
ONIC PH delivered relentless team fights against Blacklist International
Learning from the team’s run during the M3 World Championship, ONIC PH managed to take control of the first game. ONIC PH’s jungler, Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol suppressed Blacklist International’s jungle lane and allowed his team to forcefully steal buffs and objectives away from the defending champions.
In the second match, fans saw Blacklist International’s Mark "Eson" Gerardo going back to his old roots as he picked the tank hero Hilda. The defending champions maintained their momentum up until the late game but ONIC PH managed to even the odds. However, a crucial team fight occurred at the Lord pit at the 26-minute mark where Blacklist International’s minions managed to penetrate ONIC PH’s top lane and destroyed the Nexus before ONIC PH could defend it.
With the third match serving as the deciding match, both teams gave it their all. Blacklist International kept its momentum steady, but ONIC PH was able to disrupt each teamfight with Kairi’s Fanny. Despite desperate attempts from Blacklist International to hold off until the late game, ONIC PH did not hesitate to finish the game and win the first matchup of the MPL PH Season 9 Week 1.
ONIC PH will not settle for a runner-up finish in the MPL PH Season 9
During the post-match interview, ONIC PH’s Allen “Baloyskie” Jedric O. Baloy and Kairi revealed that they want to aim higher this MPL season. The match MVP jungler, Kairi wants his team to be at the top ranks in both the regular season and the playoffs.
“First of all we want to be number one in the regular season and keep it up and dominate in the playoffs to become champions,” stated Kairi.
The team’s mid laner, Baloyskie wants to prove his team can do more than just be grand finalists in MLBB tournaments.
“For me, I want to prove we can do more than just finish as the runner-up team, not only in the Philippines but also against other regions,” stated Baloyskie.
While Blacklist International was not able to deliver a stellar performance in the opening match of the MPL PH Season 9, this isn’t the end as the team still has more chances to step up its game as it faces TNC Pro Team tomorrow at 8:00 PM (PHT).
Keep up with the live scores, schedule, stream links, and more with AFK Gaming's hub for the MPL PH Season 9.
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