Philippine-based team TNC Predator qualified for DreamLeague Season 13: The Leipzig Major — the second major tournament of Dota 2 Pro Circuit 2019–20 — at the expense of fellow Filipino squad Cignal Ultra, 2-1, in the closed regional qualifiers.
TNC, which is composed of Pinoys Armel "Armel" Tabios, Kim "Gabbi" Villafuerte, and Timothy "Tims" Randrup, Australian Damien "Kpii" Chok, and Korean Park "March" Tae-won, look to become the first Southeast Asian team to win back-to-back Majors.
Fresh off their MDL Chengdu Major victory, the Pinoy-dominated group was shaky in the group stage, only garnering a draw against Geek Fam and dropping both games against Reality Rift.
The major winners would find their composure in the second day, sweeping kababayans Adroit and Neon Esports to arrange a do-or-die tiebreaker against ex-teammates Carlo "Kuku" Palad and Marco Polo Luis "Raven" Fausto's Geek Fam for the final playoff spot. This time, TNC took the rematch with a 26-minute win, courtesy of Armel's fed Outworld Devourer.
Their run would end at the hands of Malaysia-based squad Fnatic via a sweep. Down to the last chance to qualify, TNC needed to beat Cignal for the last Major slot.
Following a tug-of-war first two games, the ending turned out to be anti-climatic ending as Cignal defaulted due to internet issue brought about by Typhoon Tisoy. This prevented the team from reconnecting in the rubber match, and GGs had to be called after 30 minutes in what could have been the most exciting game of the qualifiers.
Despite failing to outright qualify for the Major, Cignal has another chance in the WePlay! Bukovel Minor 2020 qualifiers.
Fernando "Nando" Mendoza, James "Jamesy" John, Van "Van" Manalaysay, Erice "Erice" Guerra, and Jomari "Grimzx" Anis will face fellow Pinoys and other Southeast Asian groups starting Friday.
Other notable Filipinos vying for a place in the Minor are Kuku and Raven of Geek Fam, and local team Neon Esports — Andrei "Skem" Ong, Erin Jasper "Yopaj" Ferrer, Rafael "Rappy" Palo, Prieme Ejay "PlayHard" Maque, and Ralph Richard "RR" Peñano.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
