4 days ago
Edward, Eson celebrate as Oheb finally wins MSC title after Blacklist heartbreaks
They may no longer share the same jersey, but Edward "Edward" Dapadap and Jayson "Eson" Gerardo beamed with pride as Kiel "Oheb" Soriano finally captured the MSC title that had long eluded them during their days with Blacklist International.
Oheb played a crucial role for Team Liquid Philippines as the Cavalry overcame a slow start to pull off a 4-1 victory over reigning champion of Malaysia in the recently concluded Mid-Season Cup (MSC) 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
And no one was happier to see him lift the long-awaited crown than Edward and Eson, who once shared the same dream with him during their glory days with Blacklist.
"Sobrang thankful kasi matagal na rin naming dream na makuha 'yung trophy ng MSC, ako 2017 pa. Talagang mailap siya. Thankful kasi tinupad talaga ni Oheb 'yung pangarap namin," Eson, now an assistant coach at Twisted Minds, told GMA News Online.
"Sobrang proud kasi parang naging redemption arc na rin niya. Kakalipat pa lang niya, nag-click na agad siya sa mga teammates niya. Sobrang deserve niya."
Blacklist International had two shots at the MSC title, and fell short both times.
In 2021, Blacklist, fresh off winning its breakthrough MPL title in Season 7, made its MSC debut alongside fellow Philippine representative Execration.
Despite a powerhouse lineup anchored by roamer Jonmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and jungler Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario, Blacklist's campaign ended with a 1-4 loss to Execration in the grand finals.
Blacklist returned to the MSC stage in 2023, only to settle for another runner-up finish after falling to Indonesia's ONIC Esports in the finals.
After that, the core members went their separate ways. OhMyV33nus and Wise left the professional scene, while the troika of Oheb, Edward, and Salic "Hadji" Imam are now playing for different MPL Philippines teams.
Edward currently serves as the EXP laner of Aurora Gaming, while Hadji recently left Twisted Minds to return to his former team, Smart Omega, ahead of MPL Season 16.
Still, their ties with Oheb endure—and seeing him finally hoist the MSC trophy felt like a shared victory for the players who once chased that same dream together.
"Sobrang proud kami kay Oheb kasi ilang beses kaming nag-qualify sa MSC. Dalawang beses kami nag-try, dalawang beses din na second place lang. Kumbaga, 'yun na lang 'yung pinakahihintay namin talaga e kasi makukumpleto na sana namin lahat ng titles," Edward said in a separate interview.
"Sobrang proud ako kay Oheb at sobrang saya ko para sa kanya, siya na 'yung tumupad ng pangarap naming lima."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
