BLACKLIST INTERNATIONAL JOINS THE SEA DOTA 2 SCENE ALONGSIDE THE FILIPINO ALL-STARS

Blacklist International brings back the golden days of TNC Predator but under a different brand. The Filipino esports organization has found a lot of success in the mobile esports arena, particularly in the games Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and Call of Duty: Mobile.

For this reason, BLCK’s foray into the most popular Esports title in the world is precisely the kind of publicity boost the SEA region needs to reclaim its place in the global spotlight.

The TNC Predator’s Last Stand

In its peak from 2016-2019, TNC has amassed a large fan base among Filipino music enthusiasts. They are SEA mainstays that have made it to the World Championship every year despite usually placing last. Despite this, the former TNC players are often referred to as the underdogs at TI. At TI6, for instance, they were the ones that toppled fan-favorite team OG.

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR TNC FANS

Thus, fans are eager to see BLCK provide some spectacular Dota 2 action in the upcoming Dota Pro Circuit 2023 (DPC 2023), as four TNC founding members have decided to play under the same umbrella.

What’s different about the team now that we’re in 2019 is that Carlo “Kuku” Palad is serving as captain and he’s putting on display his own special brand of play and draft strategy. Kuku is well-known for his avaricious offlane hero choices like Batrider and Doom. This explains why Kuku’s T1 team was so successful at TI10.

Also, there’s pos4 support player and playmaker Timothy “TIMS” Randrup. His aggressive strategy with Earthshaker and Earth Spirit makes him a perfect fit for Kuku’s drafts. Tims still plays his renowned heroes in BOOM Esports despite not being on the same team as Kuku this season, yet he has been improving his teamwork.

On the other side, Marc “Raven” Fausto, Fnatic’s hard carry, is a proven performer who was largely responsible for the team’s justifiable success at the DPC 2022 Majors. In the previous season, Raven was a formidable opponent against BOOM Esports, the SEA region’s best team.

Hi, Karl!

Don’t forget about Karl “Karl” Baldovino, the only player not from TNC to sign for BLCK. As you might imagine, things are unpleasant now that Karl is back to play with Kuku after being intentionally thrown out before TI11 SEA Regional Qualifier. Not knowing whether you were replaced by retired TI Champions or if it was the captain’s choice to kick Karl (and Gabbi) still hurts.

Even still, here’s hoping Karl and Kuku have patched things up and are committed to making BLCK a mainstay in Division 1 in the future. Nico “eyyou” Barcelon, formerly of Polaris Esports, is another option. Considering Polaris Esports dropped out of the top division due to declining performance, this is hardly anything to brag about.

BLACKLIST INTERNATIONAL OTHER Sea ENEMIES

Competing and thriving in the South East Asian area is no simple task. Ask T1, who I’m guessing underestimated the TI11 SEA qualifications and was promptly eliminated.

Since T1 disbanded, they pose no danger to BOOM Esports, who have continued to grow into serious competition in Southeast Asia. Fnatic and Talon Esports are two more established powerhouses with a solid track record at TI alongside BOOM.

Fans have great hopes for BLCK despite the fact that their first album is a throwback to legendary Filipino talent.