Blacklist sends Echo home, books third straight world stage appearance

Blacklist International has completed its revenge tour against rival Echo, decoding the Orcas with a 3-1 win in their do-or-die lower bracket finals clash on Saturday in the MPL Philippines Season 12 playoff round.

The sweet victory allowed Blacklist to book a spot in the MPL grand finals against AP Bren as well as a ticket to the coveted M5 World Championship for its third straight appearance in the global contest.

The Codebreakers needed 22 minutes to fend off the Orcas in Game 1 with young midlaner Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo (Faramis) showing the way with two kills and eight assists.

With no turrets left on the side of Echo, Blacklist took advantage in the final base push alongside the lord that jungler Stephen "Sensui" Castillo (Fredrin) secured at the 24:05 mark of Game 2.

Without Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno around, Echo wasn't able to defend its base as Blacklist cruised to a crucial 2-0 series lead.

However, Echo reinserted Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera in the crucial Game 3 with the veteran roamer spelling the difference as he unleashed 10 assists using his comfort pick Khufra to steer Echo to the win. Prior to that, Echo has been using the services of Jaypee "Jaypee" Cruz as its roamer.

Kiel "Oheb" Soriano took over in Game 4, unleashing a triple kill during the last team clash at the 18th minute before they wiped out the rest of the Orcas en route to a 13-9 win.

In the past, Echo had been a thorn in the side of Blacklist. The Orcas defeated the Codebreakers in the M4 grand finals with a clean 4-0 victory while during the MPL Season 11 grand finals, Echo pulled off a similar 4-0 sweep.

Prior to their meeting tonight, Blacklist had already got its first taste of revenge against Echo after defeating the Orcas in their upper bracket semis finish to send the reigning world champion to the lower bracket.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News