Blacklist International's Edward: 'It sounds really nice' if they win a second MLBB world championship at M5
Edward and Blacklist International won their first Mobile Legends world championship in 2021, and two years later are drawing closer to claiming their second.
The Philippines' Blacklist International are still on track to win their second Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) world title after sweeping Russia's Deus Vult to qualify for the lower bracket finals of the M5 World Championship on Saturday (16 December).
One of the standouts of Blacklist's M5 run so far is EXP laner Edward "Edward" Dapadap, widely recognized as one of MLBB's greatest players even at just 19-years old.
In an exclusive interview with Yahoo Esports SEA, Edward shared insights into his personal aspirations, the honour of being inducted into the MLBB Hall of Legends, and the possibility of becoming a two-time MLBB world champion.
“It feels different if we win M5 this time; we will become ‘two-time world champions’ already, and it sounds really nice,” said Edward.
Started slow, but Blacklist made their mark
Joining the organisation in 2020, it took a while for Edward and Blacklist to make their mark on the scene. However, things changed in Season 7 of the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Philippines, where Blacklist showed incredible synergy and dominating other teams with their renown “Ultimate Bonding Experience” or "UBE" strategy.
Edward and the team won MPL PH Seasons 7 and 8 and eventually claimed the M3 World Championship title by sweeping ONIC PH in the grand finals.
From then on, Blacklist remained a powerhouse of MLBB esports and saw its already devoted fanbase grow further. Edward also garnered a lot of fame, even getting inducted into the MPL PH’s Hall of Legends in May and voted one of the game's Greatest Players of All Time.
The prospect of achieving this second world championship title resonates deeply with him. Not only will it add to his list of individual achievements, but it will also contribute to the collective success of Blacklist, fostering a sense of pride and appreciation from the organization and its supporters.
When asked about handling pressure and expectations, Edward revealed that his journey into the professional scene was paved with experiences from offline tournaments and mall competitions.
“So in effect, I gained some experience before entering the pro-scene — so the audience doesn’t affect me as much,” Edward explained.
However, he candidly admitted that interviews remain his weakness.
Being inducted into the MLBB Hall of Legends is a significant achievement for Edward. Despite starting his professional journey in Season 7, he stands alongside players who began their careers in earlier seasons, showcasing his rapid rise to prominence.
“It’s a huge achievement for me because I started in Season 7, but I was included along with [Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno] and [Angelo "Pheww" Arcangel], who started in Season 1 and Season 4, and yet I was already included,” he said.
Recognising the honour bestowed upon him, Edward expressed gratitude for the support from fans and the broader community.
“I just don’t always express my emotions, but I’m really happy. Thank you for all the support of the Agents and other people.”
However, despite such achievements, Edward believes he’s still not the strongest player and wants to keep improving.
He places a significant emphasis on scrims, using these practice sessions to gain knowledge, test his limits against opponents on the same lane, and execute strategic moves during tournaments eventually.
“[During scrims], I test my limits if I can play against the opponent on the same lane. Even if my hero is at a disadvantage,” he added.
Looking toward his future in the esports realm, Edward outlined his ambitious goals.
His ultimate aspiration is to become the champion in all major tournaments, including the MPL, M Series, MSC, and even clinching gold medals at prestigious events like the Asian Games.
“After I get the gold medal and the MSC Championship — let’s see, maybe I will go back to studying,” he said before reiterating that winning those last two titles would complete his ultimate goal.
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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