Geek Fam ID has been eliminated from the M5 World Championship after an amazing series with Blacklist International to kick off the closing weekend.

headline photos courtesy of Moonton

After a few days off, the M5 World Championship returned today, moving to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, beginning with two intense elimination lower bracket series. The first of these two would be between the runners-up of the two biggest regions’ MPL events, ID and PH – with Geek Fam ID taking on Blacklist International

Right from the opening two games in this series, one thing was clear, the rivalry between the Philippines and Indonesia was alive and kicking in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. It was GFID who drew first blood, dominating the Agents by battering Kiel Calvin “OHEB” Soriano from minute one and leaving their opponents in shambles. Not to fall behind, Blacklist responded in turn with an intense game two which swung back-and-forth, before the entire PH squad found their footing and pulled the series to 1-1.

Over the next two games, the exact same process occurred, with GFID taking a solid early game lead, making it seem as though they were in complete control. However, on both occasions, Blacklist found their footing and easily turned everything around. With Renejay “RENEJAY” Barcarse even sporting the Estes in Game Four, a well-known staple for the Ultimate Bonding Experience (UBE), Blacklist was unstoppable, dumping GFID out of the M5 World Championship.

Even with the return of Manuel “Nnael” Simbolon, after his two-game ban, and a strong start to the series, Geek Fam ID could not find a way to hold their own against a Blacklist International which utilised every bit of their experience to take the win. Giving up early game objectives, allowing themselves to fall behind, and then turning the tides when it mattered most was exactly what was required, as the PH team continued their lower bracket run. In the post-match interview, Allen Jedric “Baloyskie” Baloy made a point to look at the team's discipline being a major factor in their loss.

It all comes down to discipline and it has nothing to do with the draft. We just need more experience moving forward and better team sychronisation."

With that, GFID ends their M5 journey in a respectable fifth/sixth place, while Blacklist will now look to their next challenger in the lower bracket which will be either Deus Vult or See You Soon.