Blacklist International defeated reigning M2 world champions Bren Esports in an intense best-of-five series on the second day of the playoffs of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 7 on Thursday (27 May).
Blacklist International have quickly emerged as the strongest team of MPL Philippines Season 7 after an absolutely dominant run in the regular season. They finished on top of Group B with 12 wins against just one loss, earning them a spot in the upper bracket of the playoffs.
In contrast, Bren Esports had a much tougher road to the playoffs as they were repeatedly challenged in the regular season. The reigning world champions barely managed to earn an upper bracket berth after they finished with an 8-5 record in Group A.
As the first seed of Group B, Blacklist International were pitted against Bren Esports, the second seed of Group A, in the marquee matchup of the first round of the upper bracket.
Blacklist International opened the series strong, ending game one in just under 13 minutes and with an overwhelming 18-3 kill lead. Bren Esports put up a better fight in game two, but Blacklist International was still able to edge them out after 19 minutes of action to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
With their backs against the wall, the reigning world champions struck back hard in the next two games. Bren Esports scored their first win of the series in a 15-minute game three and finished with an absurd kill lead of 19-2, which ended up being the most lopsided kill score of the matchup.
Blacklist International didn’t fare much better in game four. Bren Esports dominated them again to the tune of a 12-2 kill lead, taking the win in 11 minutes and forcing the series to a deciding game five.
Despite giving up a 2-0 series lead to the reigning world champions, Blacklist International rallied to take full control of game five and close out the series. While Bren Esports managed to draw the game out to 17 minutes despite being on the back foot all game, their opponents’ teamfight dominance and 16-4 kill lead proved too much for even them to overcome.
With their victory, Blacklist International advance to the upper bracket finals on Saturday (29 May). They will be facing Aura PH for a spot in the grand finals on Sunday (30 May).
Meanwhile, Bren Esports will have to take the long way to the grand finals through the lower bracket. The reigning world champions need to survive three elimination matches — starting with Work-Auster Force on Friday (28 May) — if they hope to claim a second-straight MPL PH title.
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