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M3 World Championship: NA's BTK upset Blacklist International

BloodThirstyKings'
BloodThirstyKings' "FwydChicken" following his team's massive 3-2 upset over Filipino powerhouse Blacklist International in the upper bracket quarterfinals of the M3 World Championship. (Photo: MLBB Esports/Moonton Games)

North America's BloodThirstyKings (BTK) kicked off the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) M3 World Championship Playoffs with a bang as they pulled off a massive 3-2 upset over Filipino powerhouse Blacklist International in the first upper bracket quarterfinal match on Saturday (11 December).

As the back-to-back champions of the MLBB Pro League (MPL) Philippines Seasons 7 and 8, Blacklist International were one of the heavy favourites heading into the tournament.

The Filipino powerhouse cruised through Group A with a 3-0 record to secure their spot in the upper bracket of the Playoffs.

Meanwhile, BTK entered the M3 World Championship as a bit of a wildcard, being only the second North American team to qualify for MLBB's biggest tournament.

The North Americans managed to make it to the upper bracket by coming out of Group C with a 2-1 record, with wins over Natus Vincere and SeeYouSoon and a loss to the group's top seed EVOS SG.

As the second seed of Group C, BTK were pit against Blacklist International, the top seed of Group A, in what many expected would be an easy best-of-five quarterfinals matchup for the Filipino powerhouse.

Despite being the heavy underdogs in the matchup, the North Americans showed they were no pushovers by scoring a dominant 14-5 win over their Filipino opponents in a 15-minute game one.

However, Blacklist International were still able to right the ship after their surprising loss in game one, notching back-to-back wins to take match point heading into game four.

In the pivotal fourth game of the series, BTK shut down Blacklist International 14-7 in a 15-minute thriller to send the match to a deciding game five.

BTK seemingly had all the momentum in the world in the decider, as they utterly dominated Blacklist International 12-4 in a stomp that lasted just under 13 minutes to complete the 3-2 upset and punch their ticket to the semi-finals.

With their victory, BTK have guaranteed themselves at least a Top 8 finish at the M3 World Championship and US$30,000 in winnings.

The North Americans will face the winner of the quarterfinals match between BEDEL and EVOS SG in the semi-finals on 16 December.

Meanwhile, Blacklist International have been dropped to the second round of the lower bracket and will be facing the winner of the elimination match between Team SMG and ONIC Esports.

For everything you need to know about the M3 World Championship, check here.

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