Blacklist Int’l ends HOK Championship run after loss vs. Nova Esports

Blacklist Int’l ends HOK Championship run after loss vs. Nova Esports

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Honor of Kings Championship code isn’t yet decodable for the rookies.

Filipino representatives Blacklist International exits the global esports tournament after falling to Malaysia’s Nova Esports in a clean 0-3 sweep in their lower bracket quarterfinals matchup Friday.

Despite being first-timers to the biggest stage of HOK, the Codebreakers finished at a respectable 5th-6th place, one ahead of fellow PH reps BOOM Esports who exited the tournament last week.

Blacklist conceded a tough 2-12 defeat at the hands of the more experienced Malaysia-based squad in 11 minutes with Golden Hart “Goldenk1te” Dajao and Chammy Paul “Chammy1” Nazarrea getting the two kills.

Aaron Mark “Aaron” Bingay’s Lady Zhen was the lone star in Game 2 for the all-Filipino side, conceding a 1-11 beating from Nova to fall behind 0-2.

A crucial clash in the ninth minute of Game 3 spelled the end for the Codebreakers as Nova grabbed a 3-11 Game 3 win, with Justine Ritchie “Juschie” Tan’s Augran tallying two kills to lead the team.

Coach Gerald Gianne “Tgee” Gelacio expressed his pride despite the loss against the world-beaters.

“Actually this is our first tournament in the HOK international scene. I’m so proud of them because out of 16 teams, we were in the top six,” Tgee said in the post-match interview.

“No one is expecting us to be in the playoffs, so I am very happy,” he quipped, with Blacklist learning a lot from the more experienced Malaysian teams.

With both Blacklist and BOOM out of contention, Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo remained the sole Filipino player in the championship as his team–hometown bets Dominator Esports–is in the upper bracket finals tomorrow against Malaysia’s Black Shrew Esports.