TNC Predator’s chance of making it to the Singapore Major is now completely out of their hands.
The Filipino powerhouse squad suffered a reverse sweep from the Polo “Raven” Fausto-led Fnatic, 1-2, to cap off their Dota Pro Circuit 2021: S1-Southeast Asia Upper Division campaign, Wednesday.
TNC carry Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte, who played extremely well in Game One, struggled mightily in the decider. The 22-year-old finished the game with a lowly 0-6-5 kill-death-assist line.
Gabbi had a hard time farming in the early game which ultimately led to the loss. Armel “Armel” Tabios tried to hold the fort for the Filipinos, but the team’s soft composition of heroes could not stand a chance against Raven’s Phantom Assassin.
Armel (Leshrac) was the lone bright spot for TNC with nine kills, four assists, and five deaths. Australian offlaner Damien “kpii” Chok (Beastmaster) had two kills, nine deaths, and six assists.
Meanwhile, the Fnatic machine fired on all cylinders led by Raven with 11 kills and 12 assists against just two deaths.
Fnatic midlaner Kam “Moon” Boon Seng (Storm Spirit) chipped in 10 kills and nine assists against three deaths. Natthaphon “Masaros” Ouanphakdee (Night Staker) had seven kills, two deaths, and nine assists while Filipino support Djardel “Dj” Mampusti (Bounty Hunter) tallied a game-high 23 assists.
Game Three lasted for just 34 minutes and 40 seconds.
TNC opened up the series with a 29-12 storm all thanks to the Morphling-Spirit Breaker combo of Gabbi and Kim “Febby” Yong-min. Unfortunately for them, the same strategy did not work in Game Two as Raven’s Lycan and Masaros’ Timbersaw helped Fnatic tie the series.
With the loss, TNC fell to a 4-3 card and is now on the verge of missing the Singapore Major. The only hope now for the Predators is for T1 to lose its match against Neon Esports — putting TNC, T1, and Boom Esports in a three-way tiebreaker for the no.3 slot which has a ticket to the Singapore Major wild card phase attached to it.
Meanwhile, Fnatic, who boasts a 6-1 standing, has secured a spot in the Major group stage. The outright Major playoffs spot will go to Fnatic if Neon Esports loses to T1 — the all-Filipino squad will then fall at no. 2 and will head to the group stage.
