ONIC Esports defeat Blacklist International 4-2 to win Mobile Legends SEA Cup 2023

Indonesian Mobile Legends powerhouse ONIC Esports have been crowned as champions of the Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2023 after they defeated the Philippines' Blacklist International, 4-2, in the best-of-seven grand finals on Sunday (18 June).

With their victory, ONIC has ended the Philippines' two-year domination of the MSC after RSG Philippines and Execration won the 2022 and 2021 events, respectively. This is also the organisation's second MSC championship after they won their first back in 2019.

ONIC will be taking the lion's share of US$140,000 out of the tournament's US$300,000 prize pool. Blacklist International settle for US$60,000.

ONIC were one of the heavy favourites to take the title in MSC 2023 as the champions of Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) ID Season 11. The team also boasted a stacked roster with some of the best players from Indonesia reinforced by star Filipino jungler Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol.

ONIC began their MSC 2023 campaign with a perfect 4-0 run in the Group Stage, claiming the top seed of Group C as well as an automatic seed to the semifinals of the Knockout Stage.

The Indonesian squad then punched their ticket to the grand finals with a resounding 3-0 sweep over reigning world champions ECHO. Meanwhile, Blacklist International earned the right to face ONIC after topping Group D and defeating Cambodia's Burn x FLASH, 3-1, in the other semis match.

ONIC came out swinging to start the finals and got up to a 2-0 lead after an 11-minute stomp in game one and a 20-minute slugfest in game two.

Blacklist International then got on the board by striking back in another 20-minute marathon in game three. However, ONIC were quick to shake off their first loss of the Knockout Stage and took a commanding 3-1 series lead after a 15-minute rout in game four.

Blacklist International responded by taking game five in 17 minutes, giving the Filipinos hope for a potential game seven comeback.

But ONIC simply could not be denied as they closed out the series after 19 minutes of action in game six.

20-year old roamer Nicky "Kiboy" Fernando claimed the Finals MVP honours as well as a US$3,000 bonus.

With the MSC 2023 title secured, ONIC now look ahead to claiming this year's world championship as well.

The M5 World Championship will be hosted in the Philippines this December. ONIC will have another chance to challenge the Philippines' domination over the Mobile Legends esports scene there as Filipino teams have won the last three world championship titles.

ONIC Esports Mobile Legends roster:

• Muhammad "Butsss" Sanubari

• Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol

• Gilang "S A N Z"

• Calvin "CW" Winata

• Nicky "Kiboy" Fernando

• Adriand "Drian" Wong (substitute)

• Paul "Yeb" Miranda (coach)

For more esports news updates, visit https://yhoo.it/YahooEsportsSEA and check out Yahoo Esports Southeast Asia’s Facebook page and Twitter, as well as our Gaming channel on YouTube.