The MPL PH Season 13 playoffs are right around the corner, and the excitement is palpable as perennial powerhouse Blacklist International prepares to face Minana EVOS in a decisive clash tomorrow. Both teams have already crossed paths twice this season, with Blacklist triumphing on both occasions in Weeks 1 and 5.
Despite these victories, Blacklist surprisingly found itself trailing Minana EVOS in the standings after eight matches, clinging to sixth place by a narrow margin over Smart Omega and TNC. However, by Week 5, Blacklist surged past Minana and TNC, eventually securing fifth place with surprising victories against Echo and RSG PH in the final week of the regular season.
On the flip side, Minana EVOS, making their first playoff appearance since Season 8, have shown noticeable improvement, albeit some inconsistency. Between Weeks 4 and 6, they shocked viewers by defeating Echo and Onic PH, teams fiercely vying for top-three spots.
This upcoming match promises to be a battle of underdogs. Blacklist is eager to reaffirm their status as a top contender, while Minana EVOS aims to continue their impressive run. With Blacklist’s signature UBE strategy seemingly off the table, they are likely to adopt a more aggressive team fight style centered around their star player, Kiel “Oheb” Soriano.
Conversely, Minana EVOS will rely on the dynamic duo of Jan Dominic “Domeng” and Jeniel “YellyHaze” Bata-anon, who have been exceptional in recent weeks. Domeng, in particular, demonstrated his prowess during the clash against Onic PH, proving he can outplay anyone with the right support from his teammates.
We expect Blacklist to emerge victorious in this clash unless ME finds a way to counter the Agents’ aggressive playstyle. It will be a challenging task, but one thing is certain: this match is set to deliver thrilling action and high stakes.
