It’s not yet the end of the road for SIBOL’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team at the International Esports Federation’s 14th World Esports Championship (IESF WEC) after their group stage performance yesterday, September 12.
The Filipino representatives, composed of the starting five of Blacklist International and two MHRLK Esports members, were triumphant against Cambodia in the first series before bowing down to Myanmar in the second series with a 0-2 score.
While many fans were left confused after conflicting reports surfaced online that the team is eliminated from the tournament, SIBOL general manager Jab Escutin clarified that SIBOL is not yet eliminated and will be flying to Bali, Indonesia in December for the play-ins stage.
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SIBOL’s general manager talks about the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team at the 14th World Esports Championship
In an interview with ONE Esports Philippines, Escutin explained what will happen now that they have lost against Myanmar in the group stage.
“This just means the national team will have a longer route in winning the championship,” he said.
He compared the loss to an upper bracket and lower bracket scenario, in which the team will just go through more matches in the main event compared to Myanmar who automatically qualified for the final stage of the tournament.
Despite the mixed result, SIBOL’s general manager is still optimistic about their lineup.
“We’re still confident with the SIBOL team come the next stage of the IESF Championship in Bali,” he noted. “This is still the early stages of the tournament and I’m pretty sure the team will use this as a springboard to better understand and learn from the other competing teams.”
Blacklist International is also currently competing at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines Season 10 (MPL PH Season 10). The team is on top of the standings with a 6-3 record.
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