MPL SEASON 7 PLAYOFFS

Blacklist slips past Bren to reach upper bracket semis, Execration drops Onic

Blacklist International avenged their regular-season loss to Bren Esports, squeaking out a 3-2 victory in the upper bracket to arrange a semifinal showdown against Aura PH in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 7 playoffs on Thursday.

Blacklist opened the series with retribution as they methodically broke down Bren, scoring an 18-3 kill tally and not giving up any turrets on the way to a 12th minute conquest of the defending MPL Philippines champs.

Game 2 went by in similar fashion as Blacklist's macro strategies and rotation proved superior, going up 2-0 and threatening a sweep of their regular season tormentor.

With their backs against the wall, Bren snatched Mathilda for Cartilo "Ribo" Jagdon and secured Karl "Karltzy" Nepomuceno's iconic Lancelot pick that lead to 8-0-3 KDA. Game 4 ended at the 15th minute with a 19-2 Bren onslaught.

Bren then followed the victory with a 5 support ban in Game 4, opting to deny Jhonmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna's comfort picks. That seemed to be Blacklist's kryptonite as Bren ended the match in just 11 minutes to force a do-or-die Game 5.

The rubber match was a different story, as Bren secured their comfort Lancelot, Pharsa, and Barats picks while Blacklist was able to have Rafaela and Popol and Kupa on their side. Seemingly rejuvenated, Blacklist slowly took control of the match, taking pick offs after pick offs and went up with a 10k gold lead. 

A 16th minute skirmish in the Lord area led to a wipeout of Bren that Blacklist capitalized to finally overcome the 2021 world champions.

READ: Aura sends Omega to lower bracket as Work eliminates Nexplay

Earlier in the day, Execration took down Onic PH in a thrilling five game series, 3-2, that mirrored their battle-for-third showdown in Season 6. 

Duane "Kelra" Pilllas (Harith) set the tone early on in the rubber match, pouncing on Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol's (Kagura) sloppiness on the gold lane to tally three kills in the early game.

Execration was in complete control by mid-game, leading 7-1 on the kill tally by the 8th minute while capitalizing on mistakes committed by Onic, including a questionable invade by Jaylord "Hate" Gonzales (Claude) on the red buff that gave Kiel "Kielvj " Harnandez (Landelot) an easy kill.

The dominance culminated with an easy luminous lord take in the 12th minute which helped Execration finish off Onic.

—MGP, GMA News