M5 World Championship: AP.Bren sweep Blacklist International to get Grand Finals rematch with ONIC Esports
This will be the first time since the M2 World Championship in 2021 that the grand finalists will be from two different regions after the M3 and M4 featured all-Filipino Grand Finals.
The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) M5 World Championship Grand Finals will feature another showdown between the best teams from the Philippines and Malaysia.
After losing to ONIC Esports in the upper bracket finals, AP.Bren bounced back and defeated fellow Filipino squad Blacklist International in a dominant 3-0 sweep in the lower bracket finals to earn a rematch with ONIC in the Grand Finals.
In the first game, AP.Bren aggressively pressured Blacklist across the map, barely giving any room for their opponents to fight back. As a result, AP.Bren closed out the series opener after a 15-minute encounter.
AP.Bren continued to dominate in the second game, pushing back and shutting down Blacklist’s carries to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in another 15-minute stomp.
Blacklist did their best to fight back in game three by being the ones to push the aggression. However, AP.Bren were always quick to counter their opponents' every move. And after an 18-minute rout, AP.Bren secured the 3-0 sweep over Blacklist to become the second grand finalists of the M5 World Championship.
Although all members of the AP.Bren squad were stellar throughout the series, Rowgien "Owgwen" Unigo and Marco "Super Marco" Requitiano were the difference-makers as their playmaking crippled Blacklist’s carries.
In the post-match interview, AP.Bren coach Francis "Ducky" Glindro said that one of the factors why his team were so dominant against Blacklist was because their playstyle perfectly countered that of their opponents.
“While Blacklist’s gameplay works for other teams, AP Bren’s gameplay is very much effective against Blacklist,” said Ducky.
Coach Ducky also had a message for ONIC Esports as the interview concluded. “If ever you’re listening, we’re coming for you,” he warned.
AP.Bren will face ONIC Esports at the M5 World Championship Grand Finals on Sunday (17 December). This will be the first time since the M2 World Championship in 2021 that the grand finalists will be from two different regions after the M3 and M4 featured all-Filipino Grand Finals.
Meanwhile, Blacklist bow out of the competition in third place, taking home US$80,000 in consolation.
For everything you need to know about the M5 World Championship, check here.
Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.
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