Blacklist coach shares what makes Southeast Asian teams a dominant force in MLBB

PHNOM PENH— Southeast Asian teams continue to dominate Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, whether on a global scale or in regional tournaments.

From M1 to M4 world championships, only Southeast Asia-based squads have ruled the tourney with Indonesia's EVOS Legends ruling the inaugural world contest while Philippine teams Bren Esports, Blacklist International, and Echo reigned supreme in the next three editions.

The 2022 International Esports Federation (IESF) World Esports Championship ML:BB was also won by powerhouse Indonesia with the Philippines settling for silver.

In the ongoing MLBB Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2023 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, only five Southeast Asian squads remain in contention, even after non-Southeast Asian clubs were invited to join the tournament for the first time with Turkey, Egypt, and North America testing their mettle.

Blacklist International head coach Aniel "MasterTheBasics" Jiandani said the experience gained in multiple tournaments is perhaps the thing that separates Southeast Asian teams from the rest of the world.

"'Yung knowledge ng mga Southeast Asia teams ['yung difference] kasi mas maraming games, mas maraming beses na lumalaban kapag nasa Southeast Asia kaya mas maraming experience 'yung mga Southeast Asian teams," he said on Thursday after the Codebreakers decoded Fire Flux Impunity to punch their MSC 2023 semis slot.

But MTB said the gap between the Southeast Asian teams and those outside the region isn't that big, noting that the potential has always been there.

"Pero tingin ko 'yung potential ng non-Southeast Asia teams, nando'n pa rin. Kailangan lang nila ng mas maraming experience," he added.

("The knowledge of Southeast Asian teams is the main difference because there are more games, more chances to play in Southeast Asia so there is more experience. But I think the potential of non-Southeast Asia teams is there. They just need more experience.")

Echo Philippines coach Archie "Tictac" Reyes agreed, stressing non-Southeast Asia teams could compete against the likes of the Orcas, Blacklist, Onic Esports of Indonesia, and Todak of Malaysia, among others.

"Para sa akin, hindi naman gano'n kalaki 'yung gap. Ano lang, siguro more tournaments lang and more practice para makahabol," said Tictac on the heels of their 3-1 quarterfinals win against Todak.

("For me, the gap is not that big. Perhaps they just need more tournaments and more practice to catch up.")

—JKC, GMA Integrated News