Recommended Video
With Blacklist conquering the PKL, this might be all the motivation they need to triumph in international tournaments.
Blacklist’s Juschie and crew are riding high off of their PKL 2025 Fall victory as they’ve overcome both their rivals and demons to earn their trophy. The Codebreakers were pushed to a game seven by BOOM Esports and it looked like history would repeat itself. Thankfully that wasn’t the case but even Jungler Justin “Juschie” Tan couldn’t help but feel the pressure of the situation.
“Actually, pumasok din yun sa isip namin,” said Blacklist’s Juschie when asked about their game seven curse. “Pero this time hindi namin siya masyadong pinansin. Nung PKL season one, galing kami sa talo ng game six so mas-down kami. This time nanalo kami so siguro mas ganado kami.”
Still, it wasn’t just composure that allowed Blacklist to get ahead of BOOM in the grand finals. They looked absolutely unstoppable in the playoffs and Juschie attributes that to two things.
“Yung una is yung momentum and second is mas-different na kami ngayon. Dati, sa akin lang naglalaro yung team pero this time kahit sino kaya na mag-style sa game.”
“Na-feel namin na hindi siya nagwo-work,” continued Blacklist’s Juschie when asked about their change of style. “Sa Indonesia nagsimula yung ganung meta – yung paglalaro around ng mga Jungler imports nila. Kinopya namin siya pero parang nafe-feel namin na habang tumatagal na hindi siya nagwo-work talaga so nag-try kami ng iba.”
A Chance in the World Stage
Going against the meta is a bold strategy, especially since the Philippines is still a developing region in HoK esports. We had a glimmer of hope for international success early in the year during the HoK Invitational 2025. Then it was quickly crushed during the Esports World Cup when both Blacklist and BOOM didn’t make it out of the first round of the group stage.
However, Juschie thinks this is the right path to take if we want to make a mark in the international scene.
“Para sa akin, ito yung pinaka-best way kasi mas mahirap ka basahin,” said Blacklist’s Juschie. “Kasi kung isang player lang kayo nagpla-play, madali kayo ma-outdraft at ma-outplay sa game. Kaya for me mas nagwo-work yung lahat nagsha-share.”
And while they’re still riding that championship high, Juschie believes this is the missing piece that they really needed to show the world what they’re made of.
“May momentum kami this PKL. Yun yung hinahanap namin last season. Kung nanalo kami last season, baka mas maganda yung ipinakita namin nung EWC. Sobrang grabeng momentum to until [HoK International Championship].”
Banner photo from Level Infinite.