BLACKLIST INTERNATIONAL found their rhythm with a familiar lineup, halting their six-game skid in style with a decisive sweep over TNC Pro Team to claim their first victory in the fourth week of MPL Philippines Season 14 at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.
After pulling off an impressive win over the TNC Pro Team, Blacklist International’s coach Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza was relieved but recognized that the Codebreakers are still a work in progress.
“We never settle for less. Although panalo pero syempre patuloy pa rin kami na mag-improvise and then i-improve, ‘yung kailangan i-improve. For now, makakakuha kami ng room to breathe. Konting araw para kahit paano mag-celebrate, and then balik sa usual routine namin, balik sa pagga-grind,” coach BON CHAN said, refusing to slack off and showing commitment to returning to their grind routine.
Halfway through the regular season, Blacklist International endured six tough consecutive losses, but they changed the storyline with the reinforcement of the gold laner Kiel “Oheb” Soriano to edge out TNC Pro Team.
“Noong nag start ‘yung week one, kung mapapansin niyo, halos same lineup, ang naiiba lang ngayon si Oheb. Para sa akin, ‘yun ‘yung best choice na maging main five,” BON CHAN explained.
Oheb + Perkz = the winning formula?
Given Blacklist International's 10-man roster, the team can explore the potential of each player. In the end, it was their initial lineup from the earlier weeks (requiring only a small adjustment) that would ignite their comeback.
“Nagkataon lang talaga na dalawang sunod na talo kami, and then may choice ako para magkaroon [bigyan] ng chance ‘yung mga reserve. Ang nangyari, nag-shuffle-shuffle kami habang on going ‘yung season, hanggang umabot na nga dito sa fourth week,” BON CHAN revealed.
“Nagpadesisyonan namin, agreement ng lahat, majority ng mga players na, 'Bakit hindi tayo bumalik ulit doon sa week one’, and then doon tayo mag-settle and i-improve nalang ‘yung mga kailangan, lalo na ‘yung mga kailangan mag step up na nag underperform noong first week, kaya napunta kami ulit sa ganitong lineup,” he explained, taking into account the team's decision, and reverted to the initial lineup.
As the strategic mastermind behind Tier One-supported Blacklist International, coach BON CHAN trusts the revamped lineup and will only make adjustments if absolutely necessary.
“For me ito na ‘yung pinaka best choice namin unless magkaroon ng isang problema ‘yung mga players maybe outside the game or health issue, ‘yun nalang ‘yung instances na magpapalit kami,” BON CHAN pointed out.
Taking one game at a time
With the league’s new pointing system, earning points has become twice as difficult this season. But the MPL veteran coach was unshaken by the losses and concentrated on winning every remaining game.
“Ang goal lang talaga namin ipanalo ‘yung mga remaining [matches], hindi na namin tinitignan puntos. Kung makaabot kami ng playoffs, mabuti, kung hindi naman, at least binibigay pa rin namin ‘yung best namin and magsilbi siyang preparation next season,” he said, remaining hopeful despite the numerous potential outcomes ahead.
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