ECHO Devours Blacklist International in MPL PH Season 11 Opener
It was a sweet season opener for ECHO as they devoured Blacklist International at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines Season 11.
Off to a strong start ang world champions na Echo this Season 11 matapos nilang masweep ang reigning #MPLPH champs na Blacklist International! 💯#LakasNgPinas #MPLPhilippines pic.twitter.com/tfyCyILDan
— MPL Philippines (@MplPhilippines) February 17, 2023
With their successful Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M4 World Championship run, ECHO was definitely one of this season’s title contenders and they delivered a strong case immediately via a 2-0 sweep on Blacklist at the MPL PH’s Season 11 opener.
ECHO’s Season 11 roster was relatively unchanged for the most part, which couldn’t be said the same with Blacklist who lost the majority of their championship-caliber roster.
The main five for the Orcas remained the same with Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera, Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales, Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya, and Alston “Sanji” Pabico, with Jian “Jian” Magtibay as an extra gold laner.
As for their major changes, ECHO bid goodbye to Frediemar “3MarTzy” Serafico and relegated Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, Jankurt “KurtTzy” Matira, Justine “Zaida” Palma, and Jhonville “Outplayed” Villar to their Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Developemental League Philippines squad Echo Proud.
Satiating Their Taste of Victory
It was the first time ECHO and Blacklist met in a tournament after their M4 grand finals bout in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Pinatikim kami ng panalo kaya gusto pa namin [They let us taste victory so we want more],” Bennyqt shared on how the team prepared for the eleventh season of MPL PH during the post-match interview. The ECHO gold laner also took home the Game 2 MVP honors as he recorded a 7/2/7 KDA on Brody after their strong series victory against Blacklist International.
As a team, ECHO had a fantastic outing in Game 1 as they took it with ease. The Orcas kept Blacklist in check with their late-game composition with tons of poking and crowd control capabilities. The lineup of Beatrix (Bennyqt), Fredrinn (KarlTzy), Gloo (Sanford), Pharsa (Sanji), and Atlas (Yawi) successfully fended off Blacklist International, with ECHO eventually ending the game in just eleven minutes of action.
ECHO almost tripped and failed come Game 2 as Blacklist International’s new roster showed signs of brilliance, most especially Jon Redick “Super Red” Bordeos who put up fantastic performances in both games with his Moskov. The early game belonged to Blacklist International with ECHO playing along. The game shifted back and forth up until ECHO managed to basically wipe out Blacklist International at their base, finally ending the arduous twenty-four-minute game.
With their win against Blacklist International, ECHO stands atop with a 2-0 record in the regular season team standings and will be facing Bren Esports for their next matchup.
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