OB Esports x Neon and support Prieme Ejay “PlayHard” Maque have mutually agreed to part ways weeks before the start of the Dota Pro Circuit Southeast Asia regional qualifiers, the organization announced Sunday night.
The 22-year-old PlayHard played a vital role in OB.Neon’s ascent in the Southeast Asian region, providing the squad with much-needed versatility in the position-four role.
During his time with the squad, PlayHard helped OB.Neon capture multiple Tier 3 titles before eventually leading the squad to its first Dota Pro Circuit Major appearance in the ONE Esports Singapore Major last April.
PlayHard also holds the club record for the most played games with 1,515.
“Prieme Ejay ‘PlayHard’ Maque played his first game for the organization on March 1st, 2018, leading us to a 2-0 victory over QPQ in the PPGL. It would be the start of a wonderful career spanning a club record 1515 games, 2 LAN victories, back-to-back Predator League Philippines championships, and our first-ever Major appearance in Singapore,” said Neon Esports CEO Robert Campbell.
“There was a long period of time where PlayHard was Neon, he was why players wanted to play for us and he was why we won games. PlayHard’s instinct to know where his opponents are hiding is unrivaled, and he ranks among one of the most mechanically gifted supports that Southeast Asia ever produced.”
The soft-support from Davao City first joined the team back in March 2018. He then played for GeekFam for just a few weeks before eventually finding his way back to OB.Neon.
“All things come to an end and we have reached a mutual decision to remove PlayHard from the roster. PlayHard will always be remembered as a club champion and of the players that helped the organization get to where it is today.”
OB.Neon is one of the 15 SEA teams currently vying for the sole slot in the regional qualifiers.
The squad, who finished fifth in the previous DPC season after a successful Season One, will go up against lower division top placer Motivate.Trust Gaming bannered by former T1 carry Souliya “JaCkky” Khoomphetsavong and former Fnatic offlaner Natthaphon “Masaros” Ouanphakdee.
The regional qualifiers will begin on June 30 until July 3.
