Burn x FLASH end commendable MSC 2023 run as Cambodia's best showing yet

Cambodian squad Burn x FLASH made history as the country's first representative to make it to the semifinals of the Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup (MSC).

While the team ultimately fell short of the championship, it's still a commendable achievement to reach in front of their home crowd.

After a 13th-16th place finish at last year's MSC, Burn x FLASH came into this year's tournament with renewed vigour. They survived a grueling run in the Group Stage to reach the Knockout Stage, where they knocked out RSG Slate SG in a 3-0 sweep in the first round.

However, the Cambodian squad's campaign was cut short in a 3-1 rout in the semifinals by Filipino powerhouse Blacklist International. With their loss, Burn x FLASH drop to the third place match against the loser of the other semifinal between ECHO and ONIC Esports.

Burn x FLASH will finish MSC 2023 in either third or fourth place, which is a massive improvement over their last appearance in an international event at the M4 World Championship, where they bombed out in 13th-16th place.

While Burn x Flash's run will end short of the championship round, jungler Sour "Celichma" Mara is confident their showing here can only help them get better for future tournaments.

"I think Blacklist is a strong team at MSC 2023, but you know, winning [against RSG] has boosted our confidence. So we don't care who the enemy are, we just want to win," said Celichma.

The confidence that the squad has was born out of failure of its M4 run. It was the Cambodian squad's first ever international tournament, and they were not ready and did not have the right mindset for it.

"The failure was sad for us as we had lost in the tournament. I always cry after a loss and I don't want to cry again," he said.

"My dad told me don't cry again, so I'm not going to cry."

Looking ahead to their third place match, Celichma remains confident they can close out their MSC 2023 run with a win. After that, the team will be looking to come back stronger the next time around and play for that elusive championship.

"I expect to get top 3 at MSC, but we've already secured top 4 so it's soon. Having played Onic Esports, Outplay, and RSG, my confidence is boosted," he added.

"I feel that I want to be MSC Champion."

MSC 2023 features 12 of the best MLBB teams from all across Southeast Asia as well as Turkiye, MENA, and North America clashing in Pnomh Penh, Cambodia from 10 to 18 June.

Aloysius Low is an ex-CNET editor with more than 15 years of experience. He's really into cats and is currently reviewing products at canbuyornot.com

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