In Group A of ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, Blacklist International, the lone Southeast Asian (SEA) contender, has commenced the tournament on a high note. Securing a victory against Wawitas Sagazes on the first day, offlaner Kim “Gabbi” Santos shared insights based on his stint in Europe before joining Blacklist.
Gabbi, previously with Entity for four months, credited his time in Europe for enhancing his game-reading abilities and fostering composure during in-game communications. Discussing the disparity between European and SEA teams’ communication styles, Gabbi noted, “I learned in Europe how to read the game better and maintain a calmer approach to in-game communication and map awareness. In SEA, there’s a more energetic focus on in-game communication.”
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Identifying the support duo as among the more vocal players on the team, Gabbi singled out Carlo or Tims for their communication contributions.
From Entity to Blacklist International
Gabbi’s transition from Entity, where he faced initial scepticism due to his limited European experience as an offlaner, showcased a mix of challenges and successes. Despite Entity’s rough start and a modest finish at TI12, their victory in the International 12 qualifier garnered attention within the gaming community.
Returning to SEA after his European stint, Gabbi highlighted the convenience of shorter travel times for events like ESL One. “Being closer to home is advantageous for us; a three-hour flight from the Philippines to Malaysia is much better than the long-haul journeys required for tournaments in the US or Europe,” he explained.
Addressing his recent interactions with Wawitas Sagazes’ DarkMago, Gabbi clarified his motivations for tipping him during matches. “I don’t hold any personal feelings. I just aim to outperform them because of their toxicity in pub games,” he stated during the interview.
Blacklist International’s first day at ESL One Kuala Lumpur concluded with a 1-1 draw against Azure Ray. Currently tied for first place with Azure, the SEA squad anticipates crucial matches against Gaimin Gladiators and Team Secret on the second day, vital for their playoff qualification.
