Blacklist International

Tier One Entertainment's esport team.

[blacklistintl]

This is a new shade of BLCK. Introducing our official roster and jersey for MPL-PH Season 9! #BreakTheCode ⚫⚪

[fitlike-a-daydream]

Let me tell you about my new hero. Johnmar Villaluna, more commonly known as OhMyV33nus in the e-sports industry, is a proud, brave, and resilient soul. As one of the pioneers of being an openly out and proud gay-mer, V33nus has dealt with homophobia and discrimination in the industry.

Vee, as what I like to call him, is sweet but competitive, cheerful but moody, generous but cautious. He has lived only his truth and triumphed against all odds. My favorite thing about Vee is that he has the biggest heart and purest intentions. He shows us he is human, but also strives to be the best in the league because if not, society will use his gender against him. I want to help carry his burden at least once. I want to hug him, and tell him...you don't have anything to prove because at this point you've already made your mark as the best support gamer not just probably in the Philippines but in Southeast Asia. I hope one day, the world stops being cruel to people like you. Let your colors shine through. Always be proud of what you've accomplished. Nothing can take that away from you.

[blacklistintl]

Good improvements from the team, but it wasn't enough. Well played, @echophilippines!

We'll keep fighting next week. Thank you for your support! 🖤

[blacklistintl]

Keep your head up 🖤

We'll #BreakTheCode again soon.

[blacklistintl]

BON CHAN will not pull trigger in giving Hadji old jungler role back

By Jonash Danug

Despite suffering its third consecutive loss, Blacklist International head coach Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza shared that they have no plans to bring back roamer Salic “Hadji” Imam to his old jungler role.

“No, dahil mahihirapan si Hadji ‘pag bumalik siya ng jungle,” said BON CHAN.

Hadji previously led Omega Esports to a respectable 5th-6th place finish in the M2 World Championship as jungler. According to BON CHAN, he has already made strides in both the position four and five roles.

Since transitioning to a utility role, Hadji has helped Blacklist International win the MPL Philippines Season Eight title and eventually, the M3 World Championship. The sudden shift back to the jungler role will impede his development, said the veteran strategist.

“So kung ilalagay natin siya sa jungle… Unang una, kailangan niya ng matagal na panahaon para magamay uli yung jungle, yung rotation ng jungler,” explained BON CHAN.

“Pinapahirapan niyo naman si Hadji,” he quipped.

Aside from that, Hadji is also set to man the middle for the SIBOL national team that will represent the Philippines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam. And a return to the jungle spot might ruin the team’s dynamics.

“Maglalari siya sa SIBOL as [position] four and [position] five. So, ‘pag balik niya ng SIBOL at nag jungle siya, kailangan na naman niyang mag adjust para maging four at five,” the player-turned-coach said.

“So hindi siya possible.”

A tragic MPL Philippines Season Nine opening week saw them drop their first two assignments. Following that, the back-to-back defending champions once again failed to enter the win column, losing to Nexplay EVOS via a 1-2 result.

Clearly, Blacklist International is still reeling from the loss of jungler Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario and skipper Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna.

But Blacklist International is planning to stick with what they have – hoping that the team can turn around its fortunes mid-season.

The Tier One-powered squad is currently at the sixth spot. It has three points through a 0-3 standing.