M5 Playoffs: ONIC Esports sends Blacklist International to lower bracket after five-game thriller

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Blacklist International took another blow in their M5 campaign after absorbing a heartbreaking 3-2 loss over ONIC Esports on the opening day of the playoffs at the EVM Convention Center here on Saturday night, December 9.

The Codebreakers sustained their second consecutive defeat in three days and fell to the lower bracket, while the Yellow Hedgehogs progressed into the upper bracket (UB) semifinals.

Blacklist will deal with group stage tormentor Fire Flux Esports in the lower bracket (LB) to keep their World Championship dream alive on Monday, December 11.

READ: Fire Flux Esports shocks Blacklist International, ends M5 group stages as Group B winner

On December 7, the reigning two-time MTC Turkiye Championship titleholder scored a rare sweep of the M3 winner to avoid an early matchup with ONIC in the knockout stages. Unfortunately, Kid Bomba and Deus Vult beat them in their respective UB quarterfinal showdown, ensuring a do-or-die clash between one of the host's teams and the Turkish champ comes true.

BLCK is no stranger to LB as this is the same situation they hurdled to capture the M3 crown in 2021. But this time, without the power tandem of Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie James "Wise" del Rosario.

On the other hand, surprise package Deus Vult goes head-to-head with ONIC, an established MLBB powerhouse globally, on Tuesday, December 12.

The Tier One-backed squad came close to exacting revenge against the same team that deprived them of their first-ever Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) title five months ago in Cambodia.

RELATED STORY: Embattled ONIC Esports denies Blacklist International of MSC 2023 crown

The win didn't go BLCK's way but they still gave the Indonesian side, with Filipino import Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol and head coach Paul "Yeb" Miranda, a run for their money.

Blacklist raced to a 7-1 lead in Game 1 with Stephen "Sensui" Castillo's Guinevere jungle leading the way. He secured the first three turtles, as well as the lord, putting them an advantage.

ONIC fought back and slain the last two of the five lords. Unfortunately, the fifth one came hefty as Muhammad Satrya "Butsss" Sanubari and Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol fell, leaving them outnumbered. Blacklist wasted no time, pushed the mid lane, and clinched the Bo3 opener with a 16-7 victory in 30 minutes of action.

Sensui finished with a perfect 4/0/11 KDA on 94 percent kill participation to win the Most Valuable Player nod. Kiel "Oheb" Soriano's Bruno almost had a flawless outing on five kills, one death, and seven assists, while Renejay "Renejay" Barcase's Rafaela dished a game-high 14 assists.

Game Two was evenly matched as momentum swung for both teams, with the Yeb-mentored squad dictating the tempo in the early game before the Master the Basics-mentored crew bounced back.

Down the stretch, ONIC gained the upper hand after taking down the fourth lord as well as four Blacklist heroes, with Edward Jay "Edward" Edward's Edith surviving a potential wiped out. He and the revived Renejay's Mathilda tried to defend their base but ended futile against a complete opposition with too much firepower.

Calvin "CW" Winata's Claude got the MVP plum behind his 7/1/6 output while Sanz's Valentina churned out 11 assists with a kill and a death for ONIC.

In Game Three, ONIC nearly broke the one-all tie in 16 minutes, only for Yue's Valentina to spoil the party after scoring a triple kill while Oheb's Claude downed Butsss, forcing Sanz (Kadita) to regroup.

In a battle of endgame discipline, the Yellow Hedgehogs emerged victorious, as the Codebreakers' decision to overstay in the enemy's territory proved costly, as they were taken down one by one.

Starring anew for ONIC was CW, who delivered nine kills and five assists on top of two deaths with Wanwan. Sanz added 12 assists and three kills, while Nicky "Kiboy" Pontonuwu's Minotaur made up for his five Ds with 15 assists and a kill.

Blacklist ran amok in Game Four, getting the demolition job done in 15 minutes to force a decider. Oheb (Claude), named fourth game MVP, scored four kills and four assists, while Edward dealt two kills and five assists for the Codebreakers to complete the 10-1 rout of ONIC.

Sadly for the loud Filipino crowd inside EVM, the M3 champion cannot build on their dominant Game Four run as the defending three-time MPL Indonesia champion unleashed a strong finishing kick from the get-go.

The visitors silenced the spectators, completely owning Game Five as ascertained by their over 14,000 gold advantage for a 12-2 beating of Blacklist within 14 minutes.

Experience (EXP) laner Butsss' Terizla spearheaded the Yellow Hedgehogs' near-perfect Game Five run with his superb sets en route to a nine-assist and one-kill performance.

For his part, Yeb said adjustments helped them survive the gritty Blacklist team.

"Tuwing may mga best of 5 or best of 7, kailangan po naming mag-adjust o mag-aral dun din inside sa series na yun. And luckily, gumana naman siya," the Filipino tactician explained.