The national Esports squad collected its second gold medal following a masterful 3-1 victory over Indonesia in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) grand finals of the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Friday at the Vietnam National Convention Center in Hanoi.
Bannered by Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) Philippines superstars Johnmar Villaluna and Danerie James del Rosario of Blacklist International, Sibol just dropped two games in their entire campaign to formally defend the Mobile Legends crown they won in the Manila edition of the Games three years ago.
Also in the roster are Lee Howard Gonzales, Kyle Domingo Soto and Salic Imam, who proved doubters wrong, including Setsuna Ignacio who said that they only have 10 percent chances of beating powerhouse Indonesia in the gold medal match of this prestigious biennial meet.
“All I can say is the Philippines is the strongest,” Imam said.
“Shout out to Dogie (Setsuna Ignacio), you’re the only one afraid.”
Blacklist International was quick to congratulate its wards for a job well done.
In fact, its victory over the Indonesians should be credited to its rookies in Soto and Gonzales, who stepped up and delivered in the clutch whenever stars were in trouble.
Villaluna and Del Rosario, who were tagged as the dynamic duo in the MPL, also proved that they have a lot to offer in their arsenal when they drafted tank heroes throughout the grand finals, something that they didn’t do in the local professional circuit.
“Gold medals go well with BLCK. The 31st Southeast Asian Games have been decoded,” Blacklist said in a Facebook post shortly after Sibol’s conquest.
“Blacklist Sibol is your gold medalist for MLBB. These players and coaching staff have made their country proud.”
Although Blacklist stars, the MPL Seasons 7 and 8 champions, got to represent the country in the SEA Games, they will not be able to do so in the Mobile Legends Southeast Asian Cup 2022 next month as they failed to qualify due to a dismal outing in MPL Season 9.
Still, Imam fully trusts that the country will be well represented by MPL Season 9 champion RSG PH and Omega Esports.
“To the Philippine teams that are going to represent us at MSC, do your best, I am sure you will win it,” Imam said.
Date: May 21, 2022 | By: JM Siatsat | Newspaper: Tribune | Source: https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2022/05/21/sibol-reign-in-mobile-legends/?fbclid=IwAR0-Byba7Q8BzSZUkjzltQWX2ojbbB96kcuz3MA2KmbQoEyjZwQdslxiZaA
