Blacklist International head coach Kristoffer Ed “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza is convinced that the upcoming Playoffs in Season 10 will be the hardest, most competitive in the history of the Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines.
BON CHAN said every team in the league has stepped up, making the Playoffs set from 20 to 23 October tough and very unpredictable.
Aside from Blacklist, also qualified in the next round are reigning MPL champion RSG PH, Bren Esports, OMEGA Esports, ECHO and ONIC PH.
RSG PH is led by Dylan “Light” Catipon, while Bren Esports is bannered by Michael “KyleTzy” Sayson, OMEGA Esports by Grant “Kelra” Pillas, ECHO by Tristan “Yawi” Cabrea, and ONIC PH by France “Super Frince” Ramirez.
BON CHAN said they have to be wary.
“This is the toughest Playoffs ever because the standards of every team have risen,” the 33-year-old BON CHAN said.
“They leveled up their standards as they created a roster that we know would be competitive. Unlike before, we already knew who would win. This season, you can expect close matches whenever these teams play.”
After winning back-to-back MPL titles in Seasons 7 and 8, Blacklist’s power duo of Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna and Danerie James “Wise” Del Rosario decided to take a breather the following season.
With the stars gone, Blacklist lost its aura of invincibility as it failed to qualify in the Playoffs of Season 9.
For BON CHAN, Season 10 is their golden opportunity to redeem themselves and claim the crown that used to be theirs.
“We are so eager to redeem ourselves after what happened in Season 9. It was really tough for us so we will make sure that we make up for it this time,” BON CHAN said.
“We are all very motivated and everyone is eager to feel what they felt in Seasons 7 and 8 when we reached the finals and eventually became the champion.”