WHEN BLACKLIST INTERNATIONAL announced their roster for Season 13, fans started questioning as to why the Hitman and the Royal Duo are unavailable for the upcoming season.
This makes them wonder, are the Codebreakers ready for the gruelling nature of Season 13 without their key players?
To address the concerns of fans, Blacklist's CEO Tryke Gutierrez published a video on TikTok to explain what happened from behind the scenes.
'Hindi po namin inalis si Renejay'
Those were the exact words that Tryke used when talking about Renejay and he even said: "It was his decision."
As to why Renejay decided to take a leave? Tryke revealed that something was troubling the Hitman.
"Tumawag siya around January na meron siyang personal matter at personal na problem na kailangan niyang ayusin...During that time, nakita ko talaga yung sincerity niya. Ang sinabi niya talaga is, 'Boss hindi po ako maglalaro kasi eto yung nangyari, ganyan-ganyan," revealed the Blacklist and Tier One Entertainment CEO.
Tryke tried his best to convince Renejay to maintain his journey saying: "Kaya naman sigurong pagsabayin yan."
But ultimately, Renejay's response would draw praises from Gutierrez.
"Ang sabi niya, 'Ayoko po kasi na may iba akong iniisip going into the tournament and the practices in the bootcamp. Na-a-unfair ako sa mga teammates ko. Sila all-in sila, sila parang focus sila, tapos yung utak ko nasa ibang lugar," revealed Tryke.
He added: "Doon ko nakita ko yung maturity yung player, ibang klase...For you to withdraw yourself from the competition dahil hindi ka 100% sure na focus ka, ibang level yung maturity na meron ka."
"Yung iba nilalaban nila kasi gusto ko sanang maglaro. Dito pumapasok yung hindi niya inuuna yung gustong-gusto niya. Kung alam niyo lang kung gaano kagusto ni Renejay mag-compete, kung gaano kalaking part ng career niya yung gi-nive up niya para maka-compete last year."
"Grabe ibang level na sakripisyo na ginawa ni Renejay last year. Para i-give up yung chance na mag-compete, para i-solve ito at para sa teammates niya. Ako para sa akin, doon mo talaga makikita kung gaano siya ka-mature at sincere na tao," he reflected.
No V33Wise?
Besides Renejay, the Royal Duo of Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario was also announced to be absent and fans wondered when will they return?
Some fans even went as far as ridiculing the decision.
"Yung lahat ng galit na yan, lahat ng hate na nanggagaling abouts sa, 'Bakit hindi sila naglalaro? Bakit hindi kasi ganyan?" said Tryke.
Instead of challenging these hardcore fans, Tryke then revealed that he understood where they're coming from.
"Gusto kong sabihin sa mga agents na, 'That's coming from a point of care,' meaning ganun nila kagustong makita maglaro yung dalawa," he narrated.
"Valid naman yung nararamdaman nila e. Like galit sila kasi disappointed sila."
In the end, Tryke then viewed their reactions as something positive.
"I'm not taking it personally, I'm seeing it as a compliment. No joke, yun talaga yung nararamdaman ko na that's how much they care about the two and that's how much they want to see them play to the point na frustrated sila."
The importance of rest
Afterwards he tried to make the community understand where the V33Wise tandem is coming from.
Both OhMyV33nus and Wise are considered GOAT-level players given the legacy that they've left, which also meant that the pressure on them will be at its peak.
Add the high volume of people watching Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Blacklist International, and everything else is amplified.
"When you're in this league, what people don't understand is the pressure that comes in the level of competition, the pressure that comes with the amount of viewership, it's not a joke," reflected Tryke.
"Imagine mo pa kung isang milyon yung nanonood sa iyo online after nun pwede kang ma-bash sa lahat ng maling ginagawa mo."
His thoughts would then lead to a conclusion about the importance of rest, especially in the world of esports.
"That's why as an organization I understand na sobrang importante yung rest, sobrang importante yung making sure na nasa tamang headspace ka when you compete."
He further elaborated: "Hindi pwedeng sabak ka kasi bayad ka, sabak lang kasi parte yan ng trabaho mo yan. Hindi naman ito yung trabaho na parang papasok ka ng 8 to 5 pm, medyo chill lang for the first 5-10 minutes, may downtime ka, hindi pwede."
"Sa esports, the moment na sumabak ka sa bootcamp, sa scrim, kailangan all-in ka, kasi unfair sa mga teammates mo na sila 100% tapos ikaw 50% lang."
Without their major contributors from previous seasons, Blacklist will have to process a new code for this coming season.
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