Three-peat seeking Blacklist International reveals roster for MPL PH Season 9

With stars Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario skipping the upcoming Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines Season 9, Blacklist International shored up its roster by injecting one veteran and one new player to its campaign.

The back-to-back MPL PH champions on Saturday finally revealed its five-man lineup to be led by holdovers Kiel "Oheb" Soriano, Salic "Hadji" Imam, and Edward "Edward" Dapadap, alongside returning Mark Jayson "Eson" Gerardo and debuting Kent Xavier "Kevier" Lopez.

Eson has been with Blacklist since season 6 and was a key piece in their second-straight championship in the local league. The 27-year-old midlaner was also with the team when Blacklist ruled the M3 World Championship late last month.

Welcome back to hook city.

The one and only Uncle @blck_eson is back, and he's here to help our three MVPs defend our crown.#BreakTheCode pic.twitter.com/HwJhy1c6kh

— Blacklist International (@BLACKLISTINTL) January 14, 2022

Meanwhile, Kevier is  the youngest player this season and is tipped to be a big boost to the trio of Oheb, Hadji, and Edward, who were named Finals Most Valuable Players in M3, MPL season 8, and MPL season 7, respectively.

And now the moment you've all been waiting for.

Agents, welcome Kent Xavier "KEVIER" Lopez, the newest addition to the Blacklist International MLBB team.

The youngest player in the MPL this season, we believe Kevier is a perfect fit for the squad.#BreakTheCode pic.twitter.com/zGG76Be1YB

— Blacklist International (@BLACKLISTINTL) January 15, 2022

Earlier, rivals Onic Philippines and Bren Esports unveiled their respective lineups with Onic sticking to the same roster it had the previous season while M2 titleholders Bren will feature a retooled squad.

MPL PH is set for takeoff on February 18 with eight clubs duking it out for the coveted title.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News