Blacklist International has released a statement following allegations that they dodged the post-match press interview after losing to ECHO PH in the grand finals.
The organization assured reporters that they will be available for future interviews and explained that their coaching staff and management made the decision to forego the interview in order to allow their players to rest and eat dinner earlier.
"Due to the winner's interview session running longer than anticipated, our coaching staff and management made the decision to inform the league that we would forego this interview in order to allow our players to take their rest and dinner earlier," Blacklist said on Monday.
The team management's decision was made with the team's fatigue, hunger, and overall well-being in mind.
Blacklist acknowledged that they need to do better by their media partners and friends, and they will ensure that there will be ample opportunities for interviews moving forward.
"We do recognize that as an organization, we need to do better by our media partners and friends. They are an important part of the esports ecosystem and we appreciate them helping us tell the story of our players and teams. We will ensure that there will be ample opportunities for interviews moving forward, whether we win or lose," they added.
Despite their Cinderella run during the MPL PH Playoffs, Blacklist was swept by Echo in the best-of-seven series, allowing the latter to add the MPL PH title to its haul this year.