Blacklist International looks to form strong bond for signature UBE strategy in SEA Games campaign

Blacklist International has been known for its strategy called the ultimate bonding experience (UBE), a game plan that has brought the Philippine team to the upper echelon of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang scene.

Mentored by Kristoffer "BON CHAN" Ricaplaza, Blacklist had won back-to-back titles in the local pro league while ruling the M3 World Championships late last year.

And as they head to Vietnam to represent the country in the 31st Southeast Asian Games this May, the team said they will first need to form the needed bond and chemistry before they can pull off wins through UBE.

"Hopefully mabagayan natin kung ano 'yung na-accomplish natin nung nag-represent tayo ng Pilipinas. Siguro masasabi namin ay sa ngayon pagbubutihan namin 'yung ensayo muna dahil ngayon lang ulit kami nagkasama-sama," BON CHAN said on Thursday on the heels of national esports team Sibol's kick-off presser.

["Hopefully, we can match whatever we had accomplished representing the country before. For now, all we can say is that we will get better and train harder since we are just getting together again."]

"Mag-bonding muna sila dahil bago lang silang nagkasama-sama sa bootcamp. More on bonding experience lang muna bago natin mabuo 'yung ultimate bonding experience."

["They have to first bond as a team because they just got together in the bootcamp. More on bonding experiences first before we can achieve the ultimate bonding experience."]

Blacklist is among the teams to be sent to the regional biennial meet, where the Philippines is eyeing to defend its overall championship from the 2019 edition.

Sibol will participate in all 10 events in League of Legends, FIFA 4, CrossFire, Arena of Valor, Garena Free Fire, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Wild Rift, and PUBG.

Blacklist, as well as all the teams and athletes, are expected to deliver podium finishes as they are building on the momentum that the 2019 squad had.

In the previous SEA Games, Sibol bagged five medals, three of which are gold from Dota 2, Starcraft II, and Mobile Legends while they had one silver and bronze from Tekken 7.

"Sobrang saya kasi hindi kami pinalad nung 2019 and pangarap ko rin kasi talaga na i-represent 'yung Pilipinas internationally," said Blacklist skipper Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna.

["We are so happy because we weren't lucky enough to represent the Philippines in 2019 and I really want to represent the country internationally."]

—MGP, GMA News