Embattled ONIC Esports denies Blacklist International of MSC 2023 crown

Everyone tried to solve the Yellow Hedgehogs puzzle, only to lose enthusiasm and leave it alone.

The Codebreakers tried but, like the Orcas, failed to decode it.

Taking advantage of the confusion they created in the very first place, ONIC Esports outwitted the Tier One-backed squad in their best-of-seven grand finals series, 4-2, to claim the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2023 title here at AEON Mall on Sunday, June 18.

ONIC's victory marked the first time a Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) Indonesia team won a major international trophy since EVOS Legends lifted the M1 World Championship silverware in 2019.

They also became the only MPL ID team and esports organization to rule the MSC tilt twice – their first was in 2019, held at Smart-Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the MSC crown remained elusive for Blacklist, losing it the second time, with the first in 2021 against fellow Filipino squad Execration.

The Codebreakers struggled to control the aggression posed by the reigning MPL ID champion in the early game of the series opener, with Nicky "Kiboy" Fernando (Franco) pushing the gold lane for Calvin "CW" Winata to gain more space to operate.

Muhammad Satrya "Butsss" Sanubari claimed the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP) nod behind his 0/1/7 KDA (kill, death, and assist) while using Uranus for ONIC to draw first blood.

Blacklist had the upper hand in the early stages of Game Two. Unfortunately, it was still ONIC time with Kiboy and CW dealing the damage, especially the latter.

CW's Moskov did split pushes that confused the Codebreakers, helping the Indonesian side establish a 2-0 advantage. He finished the second game with five kills and two assists on top of one death.

Blacklist cut the series deficit following their Game Three triumph led by Kenneth Carl "Yue" Tadeo's Yve, with Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villanuna's Novaria providing the extra vision.

The clash in the lord pit ultimately decided the fate of both sides, with the Codebreakers winning the team fight as three ONIC players got killed inside Yve's Real World Manipulation ultimate. CW and Gilang "SANZ" survived, but they two weren't enough to stop Blacklist from destroying their base.

Yue clinched the MVP recognition, unleashing a 6/2/10 KDA.

Back with vengeance, ONIC decimated Blacklist in Game Four, 13-2 in kills, as Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol got his hand to Fanny. From jungler, Kairi wreaked havoc while playing the sweeper role. He, alongside Kiboy and Butss, was simply untouchable to reach match point.

With their backs against the wall, Edward Jay "Edward" Dapadap rescued Blacklist in Game Five to extend the Bo7 series. Edward's masterful use of Lapu-Lapu earned him the MVP honor, finishing with six kills and six assists without dying once.

Edward and Lee Howard "Owl" Gonzales's Claude bossed their respective lanes and got the most neutral objectives en route to Blacklist's victory in the fifth game.

However, that was where their gallant stand ended as ONIC ensured a Game Seven won't happen.

Heavily investing in a fast-paced lineup, rich in area of effect (AOE) heroes, the odds paid off for the Yellow Hedgehogs. Blacklist's Wanwan-centered and late-game selections might have secured some crucial neutral objectives, but ONIC had the edge in map control, which actually favored them.

This enabled them to grab the luminous lord, and the coach Paul "Yeb" Miranda's side marched to Blacklist's base to seal the deal.

Kiboy was named Finals MVP after averaging 2.47 KDA.