Tier One co-owner airs side on Blacklist International's departure from MPL Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — In just the previous week, the Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) Philippines saw two teams depart and two enter the tournament. Previous champions Blacklist International and RSG Philippines bid goodbye, while Saudi Arabian organizations Team Falcons and Twisted Minds announced their operational expansion in the country.

Though many welcomed the continuous transformation of the local Mobile Legends Bang Bang scene, there are some who are left heartbroken by the departures, especially for fan favorite team Blacklist International.

"Every dynasty just ends, that's the reality,” Tier One Entertainment's Tryke Gutierrez said in an interview with the media at the company's headquarters in Taguig City last Thursday.

Gutierrez clarified that the decision to leave was not due to the team's performance last season, and that the business opportunity to sell just came and they had to assess what’s best for the organization.

He added, "In this new world that we are living in, things just develop really quick and you really need to grab the right opportunity because it might not be available in the next few hours. For me, I'm just looking out for the future of the company. When this business opportunity came, of course as a CEO, you're obliged to assess. 'Ito ba talaga 'yung tamang path pa for the organization in the next two to three years? Ito pa ba 'yung gusto ng organization? Will the organization benefit from this?"

One such development is the recent changes to the Esports World Cup that states that partnered teams or joint ventures would no longer contribute points for the Club Championship tally. The rulebook change saw many of previous partnerships disband, like Fnatic bidding goodbye to ONIC Esports and Team Falcons breaking ties with AP Bren.

Looking back, Gutierrez also saw the opportunity for the team to assess their position in MLBB and take into consideration their plans outside of the esports title.

"MLBB is not the [entire] esports scene, don't take this in a negative way. It's just facts. MLBB is a huge part of the Philippine esports ecosystem, yes. However, if you look into esports, there are other titles that are part of the whole ecosystem,” clarified Gutierrez.

Besides MLBB, Blacklist International fields teams in Honor of Kings and in Pokemon UNITE, having recently acquired the roster of Team Issen, which placed in the top 16 of the 2024 Pokemon Unite World Championship despite being a roster of just five months.

"We're constantly looking for new titles that are interesting for us. But we have always been like this. Hindi kami naghahanap ng bagong team ay dahil umalis kami sa isa. We have always been looking for teams to field,” said Gutierrez.

As Blacklist International refocuses on a new chapter, Gutierrez is grateful for the years the team has had with MLBB.

"My very reason kaya ako pumasok dito is because I wanted to be world champion. I never did. But at least, I was a world champion as an owner. Yun para sa akin, walang makakakuha, kahit anung mangyari. Hini kasi siya biro knowing how competitive the MLBB scene is and that achievement is because of everyone in Blacklist and I'm grateful,” said Gutierrez.

And though this chapter in the history of Blacklist International comes to an end, Gutierrez believes that there is always the chance that they re-enter the league.

He adds, "We're always open to going back to the league. We're always going to be supportive of the league but it's our time to reassess our position in the space [and make an exit for now].”