MSC 2023

{{Short description|Mobile game tournament}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}{{EngvarB|date = June 2023}}

{{Infobox tournament

| image =

| name = 2023 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup

| year = 2023

| sport = Esports

| game = Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

| administrator = Moonton

| host = {{flagicon|CAM}} Phnom Penh, Cambodia

| venues = Aeon Mall Mean Chey, Phnom Penh

| purse = $300,000

| start_date = 10

| end_date = 18 June 2023

| teams = 12

| tournament_format = Single Round Robin (Group Stage)
Single Elimination (Playoffs)

| champions = {{flagicon|INA}} ONIC (2nd Title)

| runners-up1 = {{flagicon

| PHI}} Blacklist International

| runners-up2 = {{flagicon|PHI}} ECHO Philippines

| previous = 2022

| next = 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.{{Cite web |last=Rossel |first=John Dave |date=18 June 2023 |title=MSC 2023 Regions Revealed Featuring North America, Turkey, and MENA |url=https://afkgaming.com/mobileesports/news/msc-2023-regions-revealed-featuring-north-america-turkey-and-mena |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=AFK Gaming |language=en}} 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{{Cite web |last=Coloma |first=Angela |date=6 May 2023 |title=MPL Season 11: Blacklist secures first slot to MSC 2023 |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/06/23/mpl-season-11-blacklist-secures-first-slot-to-msc-2023 |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=ABS-CBN News}}{{Cite web |last=Galindo |first=Daryll |title=ECHO sweeps Blacklist International to claim MPL PH Season 11 trophy |url=https://esports.inquirer.net/34374/echo-sweeps-blacklist-international-to-claim-mpl-ph-season-11-trophy |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=esports.inquirer.net |language=en}} and Indonesia{{Cite web |title=ONIC Esports secures back-to-back MPL ID titles {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/mobile-legends/onic-esports-mpl-id-s11-champion/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rossel |first=John Dave |date=10 June 2023 |title=ONIC Esports Crowned as Champion of MPL ID Season 11 |url=https://afkgaming.com/mobileesports/news/onic-esports-crowned-as-champion-of-mpl-id-season-11 |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=AFK Gaming |language=en}} qualified its champion and first runner-up teams, while the remaining regions qualified the champions of their respective region.{{Cite web |title=MSC 2023: Full list of all teams qualified {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/mobile-legends/all-teams-qualified-for-msc-2023/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=MSC 2023 |url=https://msc.mobilelegends.com/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=msc.mobilelegends.com |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Rossel |first=John Dave |date=7 November 2021 |title=ONIC Esports is the Crowned Champion of the MPLI 2021 |url=https://afkgaming.com/mobileesports/news/onic-esports-is-the-crowned-champion-of-the-mpli-2021 |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=AFK Gaming |language=en}} After being withheld of an international title since 2019,{{Cite web |date=24 June 2019 |title=Indonesia's ONIC Esports takes MSC 2019 crown {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/mobile-legends/indonesias-onic-esports-takes-msc-2019-crown/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}} Indonesia won its first international title{{Cite web |last=UBALDO |first=JOHN EDISON |date=19 June 2023 |title=RSG Philippines takes MSC 2022 crown with commanding sweep of RRQ Hoshi |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/othersports/835417/rsg-philippines-takes-msc-2022-crown-with-commanding-sweep-of-rrq-hoshi/story/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} with ONIC winning their second MSC title. They defeated Blacklist International in six games,{{Cite web |title=@Txtmlbb |url=https://twitter.com/Txtmlbb/status/1670453096991068160?s=20 |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}} ending the dominance of the Philippines over the discipline temporarily.

Background

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.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=14 March 2023 |title=Cambodia set to host MSC 2023 in June |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/othersports/863873/cambodia-set-to-host-msc-2023-in-june/story/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} The announcement of Cambodia's hosting for MSC 2023 was also announced during the MLBB M4 World Championship.{{Citation |title=OUR JOURNEY IN 2023 {{!}} Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports Road Map #DareToBeGreat #MLBBM4 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGkBVXGRJdQ |access-date=18 June 2023 |language=en}}

Tournament format

= Group stage =

The Group Draw results were announced in Social Media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter of Mobile Legends Esports.{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.facebook.com/MLESPORTS/photos/a.236616090244408/1445528592686479/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=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" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cssx31IOAo9/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=Instagram |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=27 May 2023 |title=MLBB SEA Cup 2023: Teams, format, and Rune Sentinel Atlas Skin |url=https://esports.gg/news/mobile/mlbb-sea-cup-msc-2023-2/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=Esports.gg |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |title=MSC 2023 knockout stage: Schedule, results, where to watch ONE Esports {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/mobile-legends/msc-2023-knockout-stage-schedule/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}}

= Knockout Stage =

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. {{Cite web |last=Maarif |first=Syamsul Dwi |title=Jadwal Playoff MSC 2023, Format, Bracket, Lawan ONIC & EVOS |url=https://tirto.id/jadwal-playoff-msc-2023-format-bracket-lawan-onic-evos-gLPi |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=tirto.id |language=id}} Teams that lost in the Semifinals will proceed to the third-place match.{{Cite web |last=Coloma |first=Angela |date= 17 June 2023 |title=MSC 2023: Kairi, Onic Esports eliminate ECHO in shock 0-3 sweep |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/17/23/msc-2023-world-champs-echo-ends-msc-run-at-3rd-place |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=ABS-CBN News}} The Grand Final is scheduled for 18 June 2023 with a best-of-seven series.

Participating teams

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

class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"

|+

!Region

!League

!Qualification Method

!Team

!Group

rowspan="2" |The Philippines

| rowspan="2" |MPL Philippines

|MPL Philippines Season 11 Champion

|{{Flagicon|PHI}} ECHO Philippines

|{{Center|A}}

MPL Philippines Season 11 First Runner-Up

|{{Flagicon|PHI}} Blacklist International

|{{Center|D}}

rowspan="2" |Indonesia

| rowspan="2" |MPL Indonesia

|MPL Indonesia Season 11 Champion

|{{Flagicon|INA}} ONIC Esports

|{{Center|C}}

MPL Indonesia Season 11 First Runner-Up

|{{Flagicon|INA}} EVOS Legends

|{{Center|B}}

Malaysia

|MPL Malaysia

|MPL Malaysia Season 11 Champion

|{{Flagicon|MAS}} TODAK

|{{Center|D}}

Myanmar

|MSC 2023: Myanmar Qualifier

|MSC 2023: Myanmar Qualifier Champion

|{{Flagicon|MYA}} Fenix Esports

|{{Center|B}}

Singapore

|MPL Singapore

|MPL Singapore Season 5 Champion

|{{Flagicon|SGP}} RSG Slate Singapore

|{{Center|B}}

Cambodia

|MPL Cambodia

|MPL Cambodia Spring 2023 Champion

|{{Flagicon|CAM}} BURN X FLASH

|{{Center|C}}

Mekong Region

|MSC 2023: Mekong Qualifier

|MSC 2023: Mekong Qualifier Champion

|{{Flagicon|LAO}} Team EVO

|{{Center|A}}

rowspan="2" |North America

| rowspan="2" |North America Challenger Tournament

|North America Challenger Tournament Spring 2023 Champion

|{{Flagicon|USA}} BloodThirstyKings

|{{Center|Disqualified}}

North America Challenger Tournament Spring 2023 First Runner-Up

|{{Flagicon|USA}} Outplay

|{{Center|C}}

Turkey

|MLBB Türkiye Championship

|MLBB Türkiye Championship Season 1 Champion

|{{Flagicon|TUR}} Fire Flux Impunity

|{{Center|A}}

Middle East and North Africa

|MPL MENA

|MPL MENA Spring 2023 Champion

|{{Flagicon|EGY}} Team Occupy

|{{Center|D}}

= Group draw results =

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 1px;"

|+

!Group A

!Group B

!Group C

!Group D

{{Flagicon|PHI}} ECHO Philippines

|{{Flagicon|MYA}} Fenix Esports

|{{Flagicon|INA}} ONIC Esports

|{{Flagicon|MAS}} TODAK

{{Flagicon|TUR}} Fire Flux Impunity

|{{Flagicon|SGP}} RSG Slate Singapore

|{{Flagicon|USA}} Outplay

|{{Flagicon|PHI}} Blacklist International

{{Flagicon|LAO}} Team EVO

|{{Flagicon|INA}} EVOS Legends

|{{Flagicon|CAM}} BURN X FLASH

|{{Flagicon|EGY}} Team Occupy

Group stage

= Group A =

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL|update=17 June 2023|source=https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage|team1=A|team2=B|team3=C|name_A={{flagicon|PHI}} ECHO Philippines|short_A={{flagicon|PHI}} ECHO|name_B={{flagicon|TUR}} Fire Flux Impunity|short_B={{flagicon|TUR}} FIMP|name_C={{flagicon|LAO}} Team EVO|short_C={{flagicon|LAO}} EVO|win_A=2|loss_A=0|gf_A=4|ga_A=1|win_B=1|loss_B=1|gf_B=3|ga_B=2|win_C=0|loss_C=2|gf_C=0|ga_C=4|show_matches=true|match_A_B=2-1|match_A_C=2-0|match_B_A=1-2|match_B_C=2-0|match_C_A=0-2|match_C_B=0-2|res_col_header=Q|col_P=green1|text_P=Qualified for the Knockout Stage|col_E=red1|text_E=Eliminated|result1=P|result2=P|result3=E|winpoints=1|losspoints=0}}

= Group B =

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL|update=17 June 2023|source=https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage|team1=A|team2=B|team3=C|name_A={{flagicon|SGP}} RSG Slate Singapore|short_A={{flagicon|SGP}} RSG|name_B={{flagicon|INA}} EVOS Legends|short_B={{flagicon|INA}} EVOS|name_C={{flagicon|MYA}} Fenix Esports|short_C={{flagicon|MYA}} FNX|win_A=2|loss_A=0|gf_A=4|ga_A=0|win_B=1|loss_B=1|gf_B=2|ga_B=3|win_C=0|loss_C=2|gf_C=1|ga_C=4|show_matches=true|match_A_B=2-0|match_A_C=2-0|match_B_A=0-2|match_B_C=2-0|match_C_A=0-2|match_C_B=1-2|res_col_header=Q|col_P=green1|text_P=Qualified for the Knockout Stage|col_E=red1|text_E=Eliminated|result1=P|result2=P|result3=E|winpoints=1|losspoints=0}}

= Group C =

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL|update=17 June 2023|source=https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage|team1=A|team2=B|team3=C|name_A={{flagdeco|INA}} ONIC Esports|short_A={{flagicon|INA}} ONIC|name_B={{flagicon|CAM}} BURN X FLASH|short_B={{flagicon|CAM}} BXF|name_C={{flagicon|USA}} Outplay|short_C={{flagicon|USA}} OP|win_A=2|loss_A=0|gf_A=4|ga_A=0|win_B=1|loss_B=1|gf_B=2|ga_B=2|win_C=0|loss_C=2|gf_C=0|ga_C=4|show_matches=true|match_A_B=2-0|match_A_C=2-0|match_B_A=0-2|match_B_C=2-0|match_C_A=0-2|match_C_B=0-2|res_col_header=Q|col_P=green1|text_P=Qualified for the Knockout Stage|col_E=red1|text_E=Eliminated|result1=P|result2=P|result3=E|winpoints=1|losspoints=0}}

= Group D =

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL|update=17 June 2023|source=https://msc.mobilelegends.com/standing?type=group-stage|team1=A|team2=B|team3=C|name_A={{flagicon|PHI}} Blacklist International|short_A={{flagicon|PHI}} BLCK|name_B={{flagicon|MAS}} TODAK|short_B={{flagicon|MAS}} TDK|name_C={{flagicon|EGY}} Team Occupy|short_C={{flagicon|EGY}} OPY|win_A=2|loss_A=0|gf_A=4|ga_A=1|win_B=1|loss_B=1|gf_B=3|ga_B=2|win_C=0|loss_C=2|gf_C=0|ga_C=4|show_matches=true|match_A_B=2-1|match_A_C=2-0|match_B_A=1-2|match_B_C=2-0|match_C_A=0-2|match_C_B=0-2|res_col_header=Q|col_P=green1|text_P=Qualified for the Knockout Stage|col_E=red1|text_E=Eliminated|result1=P|result2=P|result3=E|winpoints=1|losspoints=0}}

Playoffs

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

{{8TeamBracket

|seeds=no

|boldwinner=high

|nowrap=no

|team-width=200

|RD1=Quarterfinals (Bo5)

|RD2=Semifinals (Bo5)

|RD3=Grand Final (Bo7)

|RD3b=Third Place Match (Bo5)

|RD1-team1={{flagicon|SGP}} RSG Slate Singapore

|RD1-team2={{flagicon|CAM}} BURN X FLASH

|RD1-score1=0

|RD1-score2=3

|RD1-team3={{flagicon|PHI}} Blacklist International

|RD1-team4={{flagicon|TUR}} Fire Flux Impunity

|RD1-score3=3

|RD1-score4=0

|RD1-team5={{flagicon|PHI}} ECHO Philippines

|RD1-team6={{Flagicon|MAS}} TODAK

|RD1-score5=3

|RD1-score6=1

|RD1-team7={{flagicon|INA}} ONIC

|RD1-team8={{flagicon|INA}} EVOS Legends

|RD1-score7=3

|RD1-score8=0

|RD2-team1={{flagicon|CAM}} BURN X FLASH

|RD2-team2={{flagicon|PHI}} Blacklist International

|RD2-team3={{flagicon|PHI}} ECHO Philippines

|RD2-team4={{flagicon|INA}} ONIC

|RD2-score1=1

|RD2-score2=3

|RD2-score3=0

|RD2-score4=3

|RD3b-team1={{flagicon|CAM}} BURN X FLASH

|RD3b-team2={{flagdeco|PHI}} ECHO Philippines

|RD3b-score1=2

|RD3b-score2=3

|RD3-team1={{flagicon|PHI}} Blacklist International

|RD3-team2={{flagicon|INA}} ONIC

|RD3-score1=2

|RD3-score2=4

}}

See also

References