With his shotcalling prowess, support play, all-around on-cam attitude, and LGBTQ+ advocacy, JOHNMAR “OhMyV33nus’ ‘ Villaluna has long been a legend in the Philippine esports scene.

The Queen really provided his opinions on the future of esports in an interview with the media at the Sibol Thanksgiving feast, where he and the other members of Blacklist International’s SEA Games lineup were recognized for their time on the national squad.

He believes that the industry’s future is promising and he hopes that more organizations will continue to invest in the scene.

The Blacklist shot caller stated, “Nakita namin in the past few years kung paano sinusuportahan ang esports and kung paano siya sinuportahan ng government ng mga big companies and hopefully suportahan pa.”

[“We have seen in the past few years how esports is supported and how the government along with big companies has supported it, and hopefully it receives more support.”]

“Kase nakita nga namin na may future ang esports. And actually yung mga universities, nagbibigay ng scholarship sa esports and sana mag-grow pa ito in the future.”

[“Because we see that esports has a future. And actually the universities, provide scholarships for esports and hopefully it will grow in the future.”]

Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza, the head coach of Blacklist and Sibol MLBB, also saw a brighter future for the industry.

“Gusto namin makilala ang Philippines sa larangan ng esports and then mabigyan ng opportunity sa bawat players sa iba’t ibang laro, maka-ML, Dota or kahit anong laro pa yan.” The M3-winning coach added, “Mabigyan lang ng opportunity ang mga taong nangangarap na may passion sa video games.”

[“We want to get to know the Philippines in the field of esports and then give each player the opportunity in different games, such as ML, Dota or any other game.” The M3-winning coach added, “To give the opportunity to people who dream with a passion for video games.”]

V33nus and Wise hope to see a full force Blacklist in IESF

But in addition to discussing the state of esports in the country, V33nus and BON CHAN also talked about their impending IESF campaign.

The IESF qualifiers have generated a lot of controversy among supporters over the last several days.

Blacklist and Maharlika, qualifying finalists, are at the center of a community dispute over the national team’s combined ruling, and V33nus is hoping that the ties he shared with his team will win out.

“Kase last Sunday lang yung qualifiers. So far wala kaming preparations kase puro kami deliverables and photoshoots. Kaso naniniwala ako sa chemistry namin as five and naniniwala ako sa individual skills ng isa’t isa and I’m confident na whatever happens, kakayanin naming lima. As much as possible na mabuo kami,” he stated.

[“The qualifiers were only on last Sunday. So far we have had no preparations because all we did are deliverables and photoshoots. But I believe in our chemistry as a team of five and I believe in each other’s individual skills and I’m confident that whatever happens, us five can handle it. As much as possible we will be formed,” he stated.]

“Sana limang Blacklist yung kukunin din kase combine siya, unlike dito (SEA Games) na nag-qualifiers kami at yung team yung kukunin,” Danerie James “Wise” Del Rosario continued. “Hopefully limang Blacklist ulit and bigyan ulit namin ng karangalan ng Pilipinas.”

[“Hopefully five Blacklists will also be taken because it is a combine, unlike here (SEA Games) where we have qualifiers and the team will be taken,” Danerie James “Wise” Del Rosario continued. “Hopefully five Blacklists again and we will once again give honor to the Philippines.”]

While V33nus wishes to see the full Blacklist in the IESF, he also thinks that his confidence will continue regardless of how the combine turns out.

The legendary shot caller stated, “If ever na mag-mix yung roster or machop-chop yung Blacklist with Maharlika, I think kayang-kaya namin and I’m super confident sa IESF kase napatunayan na namin ito last SEA Games kung gaano namin dino-minate and pinanalo yung SEA Games even meron kaming three rookies.”

[The legendary shot caller stated, “If we ever mix the roster or Blacklist gets chopped up with Maharlika, I think we can do it and I’m super confident in IESF because we have proven this last SEA Games how good we are at dominating and won the SEA Games even if we have three rookies.”]