Blacklist International shoots for historic three-peat as MPL PH Season 9 commences Friday

World champion Blacklist International will shoot for a feat no team in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) has ever done: winning three straight championships.

Blacklist, who ruled both Seasons 7 and 8, are looking to repeat their title run when the local league opens on February 18, Friday, which will be staged online until Week 3.

To open their campaign, Blacklist will be pitted against rival Onic Philippines, who stood in their way during the grand finals of both Season 7 and M3 World Championship.

Blacklist will be without its two main stars in Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario, who have decided to skip the new season.

The team will be powered by returning Mark Jayson "Eson" Gerardo and debuting Kent Xavier "Kevier" Lopez.

Onic, meanwhile, has decided to keep its roster intact with skipper Allen Jendric "Baloyskie" Baloy leading the group.

The Blacklist-Onic showdown will unfurl at 4 p.m. followed by the 8 p.m. clash of Smart Omega and TNC.

Here are the other games schedule for the week:

Day 2, February 19, 2022

16:00-18:00 - RSG PH vs. Nexplay EVOS
18:00-20:00 - Bren Esports vs. ECHO
20:00-22:00 - Blacklist International vs. TNC

Day 3, February 20, 2022

16:00-18:00 - ONIC PH vs. Nexplay EVOS
18:00-20:00 - Smart Omega vs. ECHO

—MGP, GMA News