MSC 2023

2023 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup
2023
Tournament information
GameMobile Legends: Bang Bang
Dates10–18 June 2023
AdministratorMoonton
Tournament
format(s)
Single Round Robin (Group Stage)
Single Elimination (Playoffs)
Host(s)Cambodia Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Venue(s)Aeon Mall Mean Chey, Phnom Penh
Teams12
Purse$300,000
Final positions
ChampionsIndonesia ONIC (2nd Title)
1st runners-upPhilippines Blacklist International
2nd runners-upPhilippines ECHO Philippines
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup, commonly referred as MSC 2023, was the sixth edition of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup, the annual international esports tournament for the mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang organized by Moonton.

MSC 2023 oversaw an increase of team representation from different regions of the World including North America, Turkey and MENA.[1] The qualification for MSC 2023 happened during the spring-split of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) seasons, Moonton approved Regional tournaments and qualifier tournaments before the main tournament. MLBB powerhouses of the Philippines[2][3] and Indonesia[4][5] qualified its champion and first runner-up teams, while the remaining regions qualified the champions of their respective region.[6] However, with the lack of compliance as per the MLBB Rulebook for MSC 2023, North American Champions of NACT 2023 Spring BloodThirstyKings were disqualified from the tournament. In replacement, first runner up team Outplay will be representing the region.

The hashtag "#SEATheWorld" was used as the official hashtag during the eight-day tournament.[7]

Blacklist International and ONIC would once again face in a grand finals matchup. The most recent matchup in the grand finals for both teams was during MPLI 2021 where ONIC defeated Blacklist in four games.[8] After being withheld of an international title since 2019,[9] Indonesia won its first international title[10] with ONIC winning their second MSC title. They defeated Blacklist International in six games,[11] ending the dominance of the Philippines over the discipline temporarily.

Background

[edit]

On 14 March 2023, Moonton announced their partnership with the Esports Federation of Cambodia (EFC) to "co-promote the growth of the local esports industry and enhance the competitive gaming landscape of the country." Hence, declaring Cambodia to be the host for MSC 2023.[12] The announcement of Cambodia's hosting for MSC 2023 was also announced during the MLBB M4 World Championship.[13]

Tournament format

[edit]

Group stage

[edit]

The Group Draw results were announced in Social Media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter of Mobile Legends Esports.[14][15] Among the twelve participating teams, every group will be drawn a designated champion from the regions of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar, and the remaining teams will be drawn evenly. Each group will undergo a single round-robin tournament with matches being a best-of-three format.[16]

The top two teams of each group will advance to a bracket draw for the playoffs and the third-seeded team of each group will be eliminated.[17]

Knockout Stage

[edit]

Unlike the previous iteration of the tournament, MSC 2023 will have a single-elimination bracket with games, and Knockout Stage matches will be best-of-five formats. [18] Teams that lost in the Semifinals will proceed to the third-place match.[19] The Grand Final is scheduled for 18 June 2023 with a best-of-seven series.

Participating teams

[edit]

MSC 2023 expanded its regional qualifications, qualifying teams from Turkey, North America, and MENA in the process.

Region League Qualification Method Team Group
The Philippines MPL Philippines MPL Philippines Season 11 Champion Philippines ECHO Philippines
A
MPL Philippines Season 11 First Runner-Up Philippines Blacklist International
D
Indonesia MPL Indonesia MPL Indonesia Season 11 Champion Indonesia ONIC Esports
C
MPL Indonesia Season 11 First Runner-Up Indonesia EVOS Legends
B
Malaysia MPL Malaysia MPL Malaysia Season 11 Champion Malaysia TODAK
D
Myanmar MSC 2023: Myanmar Qualifier MSC 2023: Myanmar Qualifier Champion Myanmar Fenix Esports
B
Singapore MPL Singapore MPL Singapore Season 5 Champion Singapore RSG Slate Singapore
B
Cambodia MPL Cambodia MPL Cambodia Spring 2023 Champion Cambodia BURN X FLASH
C
Mekong Region MSC 2023: Mekong Qualifier MSC 2023: Mekong Qualifier Champion Laos Team EVO
A
North America North America Challenger Tournament North America Challenger Tournament Spring 2023 Champion United States BloodThirstyKings
Disqualified
North America Challenger Tournament Spring 2023 First Runner-Up United States Outplay
C
Turkey MLBB Türkiye Championship MLBB Türkiye Championship Season 1 Champion Turkey Fire Flux Impunity
A
Middle East and North Africa MPL MENA MPL MENA Spring 2023 Champion Egypt Team Occupy
D

Group draw results

[edit]
Group A Group B Group C Group D
Philippines ECHO Philippines Myanmar Fenix Esports Indonesia ONIC Esports Malaysia TODAK
Turkey Fire Flux Impunity Singapore RSG Slate Singapore United States Outplay Philippines Blacklist International
Laos Team EVO Indonesia EVOS Legends Cambodia BURN X FLASH Egypt Team Occupy

Group stage

[edit]

Group A

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Philippines ECHO Turkey FIMP Laos EVO
1 Philippines ECHO Philippines 2 2 0 4 1 +3 2 Qualified for the Knockout Stage 2–1 2–0
2 Turkey Fire Flux Impunity 2 1 1 3 2 +1 1 1–2 2–0
3 Laos Team EVO 2 0 2 0 4 −4 0 Eliminated 0–2 0–2
Updated to match(es) played on 17 June 2023. Source: https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage

Group B

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Singapore RSG Indonesia EVOS Myanmar FNX
1 Singapore RSG Slate Singapore 2 2 0 4 0 +4 2 Qualified for the Knockout Stage 2–0 2–0
2 Indonesia EVOS Legends 2 1 1 2 3 −1 1 0–2 2–0
3 Myanmar Fenix Esports 2 0 2 1 4 −3 0 Eliminated 0–2 1–2
Updated to match(es) played on 17 June 2023. Source: https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage

Group C

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Indonesia ONIC Cambodia BXF United States OP
1 ONIC Esports 2 2 0 4 0 +4 2 Qualified for the Knockout Stage 2–0 2–0
2 Cambodia BURN X FLASH 2 1 1 2 2 0 1 0–2 2–0
3 United States Outplay 2 0 2 0 4 −4 0 Eliminated 0–2 0–2
Updated to match(es) played on 17 June 2023. Source: https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage

Group D

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L GF GA GD Pts Qualification Philippines BLCK Malaysia TDK Egypt OPY
1 Philippines Blacklist International 2 2 0 4 1 +3 2 Qualified for the Knockout Stage 2–1 2–0
2 Malaysia TODAK 2 1 1 3 2 +1 1 1–2 2–0
3 Egypt Team Occupy 2 0 2 0 4 −4 0 Eliminated 0–2 0–2
Updated to match(es) played on 17 June 2023. Source: https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage

Playoffs

[edit]

All matches are a best-of-five series, except for the Grand Final, which is a best-of-seven series.

Quarterfinals (Bo5) Semifinals (Bo5) Grand Final (Bo7)
      
Singapore RSG Slate Singapore 0
Cambodia BURN X FLASH 3
Cambodia BURN X FLASH 1
Philippines Blacklist International 3
Philippines Blacklist International 3
Turkey Fire Flux Impunity 0
Philippines Blacklist International 2
Indonesia ONIC 4
Philippines ECHO Philippines 3
Malaysia TODAK 1
Philippines ECHO Philippines 0 Third Place Match (Bo5)
Indonesia ONIC 3
Indonesia ONIC 3 Cambodia BURN X FLASH 2
Indonesia EVOS Legends 0 ECHO Philippines 3

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rossel, John Dave (18 June 2023). "MSC 2023 Regions Revealed Featuring North America, Turkey, and MENA". AFK Gaming. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  2. ^ Coloma, Angela (6 May 2023). "MPL Season 11: Blacklist secures first slot to MSC 2023". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  3. ^ Galindo, Daryll. "ECHO sweeps Blacklist International to claim MPL PH Season 11 trophy". esports.inquirer.net. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  4. ^ "ONIC Esports secures back-to-back MPL ID titles | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  5. ^ Rossel, John Dave (10 June 2023). "ONIC Esports Crowned as Champion of MPL ID Season 11". AFK Gaming. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  6. ^ "MSC 2023: Full list of all teams qualified | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  7. ^ "MSC 2023". msc.mobilelegends.com. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  8. ^ Rossel, John Dave (7 November 2021). "ONIC Esports is the Crowned Champion of the MPLI 2021". AFK Gaming. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Indonesia's ONIC Esports takes MSC 2019 crown | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  10. ^ UBALDO, JOHN EDISON (19 June 2023). "RSG Philippines takes MSC 2022 crown with commanding sweep of RRQ Hoshi". GMA News Online. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  11. ^ "@Txtmlbb". Twitter. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Cambodia set to host MSC 2023 in June". GMA News Online. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  13. ^ OUR JOURNEY IN 2023 | Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports Road Map #DareToBeGreat #MLBBM4, retrieved 18 June 2023
  14. ^ "Mobile Legends Esports - The official Group Draw Results announcement for MSC 2023 is here! ⚠️ Share your predictions for the four teams that will emerge as champions in the Group Stage in the comments section! 😎 Don't forget to cheer for your favorite team and join the #SEATheWorld movement! 🔥 ⬇️ More information about MSC 2023: 📍Venue: AEON MALL MEAN CHEY, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 🗓Date: June 10th - 18th, 2023 #SEATheWorld #MSC2023 #MLBBEsports | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  15. ^ "MLBB Esports Official Account on Instagram: "The official Group Draw Results announcement for MSC 2023 is here! ⚠️ Share your predictions for the four teams that will emerge as champions in the Group Stage in the comments section! 😎 Don't forget to cheer for your favorite team and join the #SEATheWorld movement! 🔥 ⬇️ More information about MSC 2023: 📍Venue: AEON MALL MEAN CHEY, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 🗓Date: June 10th - 18th, 2023 #SEATheWorld #MSC2023 #MLBBEsports"". Instagram. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  16. ^ "MLBB SEA Cup 2023: Teams, format, and Rune Sentinel Atlas Skin". Esports.gg. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  17. ^ "MSC 2023 knockout stage: Schedule, results, where to watch ONE Esports | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  18. ^ Maarif, Syamsul Dwi. "Jadwal Playoff MSC 2023, Format, Bracket, Lawan ONIC & EVOS". tirto.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  19. ^ Coloma, Angela (17 June 2023). "MSC 2023: Kairi, Onic Esports eliminate ECHO in shock 0-3 sweep". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 18 June 2023.