Reigning MPL-ID kings ONIC Esports reclaimed their title as the “Kings of SEA” after taking down Filipino bets Blacklist International in a nail-biting six-game Grand Finals showdown, 4-2, of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) at AEON Mall Mean Chey on Sunday, June 18.
ONIC, flaunting a mix of homegrown players and Filipino imports Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol, and Coach Denver “Yeb” Miranda, captured Indonesia’s first international glory in four years and their second MSC trophy.
Roamer Nicky “Kiboy” Fernando stepped up to the plate, earning himself the Finals MVP plum behind his wide selection of heroes which set up ONIC in favorable positions during team fights for most of the series.
“[I think] Kairi [should be] MVP,” said the playmaker shortly after winning the tournament. “I don’t care [about the award]. I just want to win,” said the Finals MVP.
Fresh from a dominating sweep of reigning world champs ECHO Philippines, the Indonesian side drew first blood over Blacklist as they made quick work of them in the series opener, leading by over 11k gold before wrapping up Game 1 with only 11:11 in the game clock.
Blacklist saw themselves in the driver’s seat of Game 2 but their control started slipping away as the men in yellow and black played the long game, allowing Kiboy’s Franco to make clutch slays and gold laner Calvin “CW” Winata’s Moskov to scale up and wreak havoc before seizing the 2-0 series lead.
Down 0-2, midlaner Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo’s Novaria brought Blacklist to the winning column after clinching a triple kill on the Hedgehogs en route to a 6/2/10 KDA but ONIC roared back in Game 4 to claim match point.
Unfazed, Blacklist’s captain Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna took matters into his own hands in Game 5 as his mastery on Novaria sniped low-health Hedgehogs but Kairi sealed the deal for ONIC in Game 6 through his flawless use of Fanny which racked him six kills and six assists.
Blacklist’s campaign for an MSC title remains an unclosed chapter as they head back home as runners-up of the midyear tournament.
Meanwhile, ECHO PH filled the last podium spot as they settled for a third-place finish after a 3-2 triumph over homecourt favorites Burn x Flash on Saturday.
This year’s MSC event saw the 12 best MLBB squads from the SEA region and beyond duke it out in pursuit of the coveted trophy.
Article by Patrick Joseph Dincol