Evidence Emerges: Hoon's "Honor of Kings" Challenge Confirms MSC 2025 Disqualification Cause

Following yesterday's bombshell announcement of Team S8UL's disqualification from the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup (MSC) and Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, new photographic and social media evidence has surfaced, seemingly confirming the precise nature of the rule violation that led to the drastic penalty.

As previously reported, the MSC 2025 Committee cited a breach of rules by S8UL members Jang "Hoon" Seong-Hun and Michael "Mobazane" Cosgun for their participation in an event related to a "competing mobile MOBA game." The newly available images and posts leave little doubt as to which game was involved: Honor of Kings (HoK).

The "Honor of Kings" Ranking Marathon and Pinoy Food Challenge

Video Credits: ZEkilled

Pictures circulating online show Hoon deeply engaged in an "Honor of Kings 48HRS Ranking Marathon," as advertised in promotional materials featuring him as "Challenger: Hoon" with a goal of "RANK CHALLENGE TO GLOBAL 1." One screenshot clearly shows Hoon streaming HoK, with the title "SOLO RANKING CHALLENGE HOK" and a live chat visible.

Adding another layer to the story, a social media post from influencer Mara Aquino dated June 28 at 5:17 PM (PST, likely), explicitly mentions Hoon "completing his HOK 48hr Ranking Marathon with the new Rating System" and provides a YouTube link to his livestream.

Furthermore, a captivating image shows Hoon smiling excitedly alongside Mara Aquino, with text overlaying "P5000 HOK CHALLENGE" and a chat message from @missmaraaquino offering Hoon ₱5,000 to reach "Grandmaster" rank in HoK, promising to take him to "try Filipino food" at Jollibee. A subsequent image, posted by Mara Aquino with the caption "Thank you Honor of Kings for this great challenge, Hoon loved the food!" appears to confirm the successful completion of this challenge, showing Hoon and Aquino enjoying a meal together.

A Clear Violation of MLBB Rules

These pieces of evidence unequivocally demonstrate Hoon's active and public engagement with Honor of Kings, a direct competitor in the mobile MOBA genre. This directly corroborates the MSC 2025 Committee's statement regarding the violation of Section 2, Penalty Index B of the MSC Penalty Index, which prohibits team members from engaging in activities that give "competitor games' exposure."

While Mobazane's specific involvement in a competing title is yet to be publicly detailed through similar visual evidence, the committee's announcement stated both players were disqualified for the same reason. The committee had provided Team S8UL with opportunities to rectify the situation, but the team's decision to proceed ultimately led to their removal from the prestigious tournaments.

The implications for esports organizations and players are clear: cross-game participation, especially with direct competitors, carries severe consequences, particularly at the highest levels of competitive play. The MLBB community continues to react to this unprecedented event as Area 77 prepares to take S8UL's place at MSC 2025.

Breaking News: S8UL Disqualified from MSC 2025 and EWC 2025; Area 77 Steps In!

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) competitive landscape has been rocked by a major announcement from the MSC 2025 Committee. Team S8UL, the North American representatives for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), has been officially disqualified from both prestigious tournaments.

The reason? A serious breach of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup Official Rules by two of their prominent members, Jang "Hoon" Seong-Hun and Michael "Mobazane" Cosgun.

The Violation: Competing in a Rival MOBA Title

According to the official announcement, Hoon and Mobazane were found to have participated in an event associated with a competing mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title. This directly violates Section 2, Penalty Index B of the MSC Penalty Index, which states that "a penalty will be imposed if a 'team member engages in any competitor games' event/ activity/ livestream or other way to give the competitor games' exposure. The competitor games are defined as mobile MOBA game."

The MSC 2025 Committee emphasized that they had extended multiple opportunities to Team S8UL to reconsider Hoon and Mobazane's participation in the competitor event to preserve the team's eligibility. However, despite these efforts, Team S8UL elected to proceed, ultimately leading to the disqualification of both players, effective immediately.

Roster Requirements and Disqualification

With Hoon and Mobazane suspended, Team S8UL is now unable to meet the tournament's minimum roster requirements. As per the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup Official Rules:

• Section 3.1.1.: Each team must have "at least 5 players ("starter") and 1 substitute player and 1 coach."

• Section 5.2.3.: "Teams' player roster need to be the same as the team that qualified for MSC in MPL or local qualifications, unless there is a force majeure before the roster lock date that necessitates a change, such as a player's sudden illness or an accident that prevents them from coming to host country."

Given these rules, and without the ability to make roster changes or invoke force majeure in this situation, Team S8UL's continued participation became impossible.

Area 77 Steps Up!

In light of this development, the MSC 2025 Committee has announced that the slot will now be awarded to Area 77, the runner-up of the NACT Spring 2025. This decision is in accordance with the MSC 2025 Official Rules, ensuring that the tournament proceeds with integrity.

The MSC 2025 Committee expressed its appreciation for the MLBB esports community's understanding and continued support as they uphold the standards that define MLBB esports.

This is a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to official tournament rules and the commitment required from professional esports athletes and organizations. The community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Area 77 performs on the global stage.