AP Bren scores 4-1 stunner over Blacklist International for second MPL Philippines crown

AP Bren, formerly known as Bren Esports, since capturing the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 6 crown failed to reach the grand finals in the next five seasons.

The Beehive even missed at least a top-three finish in that span after suffering setbacks after setbacks.

But the days of heartbreaks finally ended for Bren in MPL PH Season 12.

Bren dismantled three-time national champion Blacklist International, 4-1, in their best-of-seven (Bo7) grand finals showdown at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City on Sunday, October 29.

Experience (EXP) laner David "FlapTzy" Canon led the way for the M2 winner to get the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) nod.

By virtue of topping MPL PH, the M5 World Championship entrant takes home the lion's share of the 150,000-dollar prize pool.

READ: M5 World Championship: A Comprehensive Guide

Francis "Ducky" Glindro-mentored Beehive reached the grand finale after sweeping the Codebreakers in the upper bracket finals last Friday, October 26.

Blacklist, on the other hand, hurdled reigning MPL Philippines titlist ECHO in the lower bracket finals to secure its spot in the national league finals, as well as an M5 ticket.

The well-rested Bren dominated in the first two games for a comfortable 2-0 lead, with Marco "Super Marco" Requitiano and Rowgien "Owgwen" Unigo making it possible.

Super Marco's Brody recorded four kills and four assists as Bren thumped Blacklist in Game One, 9-2, while Kyle "KyleTzy" Sayson did his part of clearing all the major objectives to finish with three kills and four assists.

The Tier One-backed squad fell within 15 minutes of the opener as Kiel "Oheb" Soriano's Irithel struggled with just two kills, while Edward "Edward" Dapadap's Terizla was a non-factor on a 0/1/0 KDA.

After Super Marco, it was Owgwen's turn to shine for the Hive after dishing 11 assists and scoring three kills on top of two deaths with Mathilda in Game Two. FlapTzy's Phoevus proved to be a great counter against Stephen "Sensui" Castillo's Nolan, who slain a single lord in 16 minutes. FlapTzy had a perfect 2/0/11 finish.

Primarily targeted by APBR, Edward's Terizla faced five deaths as Renejay "Renejay" Barcase's Kaja was limited to two assists while dying thrice.

Catching Bren by surprise in Game Three, Oheb's Ixia tallied 11 kills and two assists with no deaths to overcome an offensive-oriented lineup of the Hive, consisting of Martis, X. Borg, and Beatrix.

Sensui's jungle Kaga and Renejay's Mathilda provided the much-needed support to help the Filipino Sniper survive in team fights.

Bren responded in the fourth game by drafting burst damage picks in Martis and Arlott. Their early-game heroes' roster slowed Sensui's farm en route to the Hive's 7-2 triumph in 15 minutes despite the M3 champion's late-game Angela and Claude combination.

With a game away from losing the Bo7, Blacklist drafted Sensui's jungle Popol and Kupa in an attempt to turn the tide in their favor.

Such move indeed favored them as the Codebreakers took a significant advantage in the mid to late game, but AP Bren found a way to reverse the result.

APBR scored a four-man takedown in the 20th-minute lord clash, thanks to the conceal play of Owgwen's Ruby. Edward's Benedetta managed to escape but was left alone to defend BLCK's base.

Bren got the job done for its second championship at the expense of their regular season tormentor, who beat them twice.

The Hive overcame Omega Esports in Season 6 for their first-ever MPL Philippines title.

Flaptzy won his second MPL tilt alongside current Bren tactician Ducky and third with team captain Angelo "Pheww" Arcangel.

For the Codebreakers, their performance all season long remains commendable, considering the changes they had to make before S12 began as Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie James "Wise" del Rosario skipped the tournament.

Bren and Blacklist will represent the Philippines in the upcoming M5 in Manila in December, with the goal of defending the said to be the strongest MLBB region's territory and claiming the Southeast Asian country's fourth consecutive M-series chip.