Newly-promoted Blacklist International head coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani faces a tall order ahead of the Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines Season 11 starting Friday.
Master the Basics, who used to be the assistant coach for the three-time MPL and M3 Mobile Legends world champion, became the squad’s head coach following the sabbatical taken by Kristoffer Ed “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza.
Aside from formulating Blacklist International’s in-game strategy, he would also have to do so without two key players as Kiel Calvin “OHEB” Soriano and Salic “Hadji” Imam have also decided to sit on the sidelines for the next season.
“We talked to all of our players and gave them a chance if they want to rest or if they want to play in Season 11. Since we are coming from M4 some players have an exhausted mindset so they wanted to take a break,” Master the Basics said.
“Feeling the pressure is normal now. When it comes to coach BON CHAN, he is not totally out of Blacklist International so if there is something we need we can still easily contact him. What is good about this is that we have so many things to try because this is a new team.”
Blacklist is coming off a botched attempt to make history after they fell short in defending their world title at the M4 Mobile Legends World Championship last January in Jakarta.
Blacklist looked unstoppable throughout M4 when it booked an upper bracket slot to the Playoffs and did not lose a match on their way to the grand finals.
But in the end, Blacklist was badly beaten by their fellow Filipinos, ECHO, by a shocking 0-4 sweep.
For Master the Basics, it was enough proof that it is high time for the organization to bring out a new play style.
“My biggest learning is when it comes to strategies, we really have to adjust. We cannot keep doing the same thing over and over so our opponents can expect us to show something new in Season 11,” Master the Basics said.
