A fiercely competitive region, SEA promises a lot of excitement and high-level Dota 2 during The International 10 qualifiers.
Overview
With CIS and South American TI10 qualifiers completed, the Dota 2 competition moves to the Southeast Asia region between June 30 to July 3. SEA qualifiers will be doubly competitive, as there is only one spot available for the fifteen teams fighting for it.
Like all other regions, SEA qualifiers are in a double-elimination, best-of-three format with a best-of-five grand finals. The rules state that all teams who took part in the regional league who did not change their roster beyond two players from the last season are eligible. All the teams from the lower and upper divisions of SEA Dota Pro Circuit Season 2 will be playing in the qualifiers, with the exception of T1, except T1, who received a direct invite to the showpiece event.
The schedule for the qualifiers was released after TNC Predator were eliminated from the WePlay AniMajor and thus did not qualify for TI10 directly. The seeding of the teams are based on their total DPC points and their standing in the final season. A stellar team of broadcasting talent will also be at hand, providing analysis and commentary.
The teams
As competitive as Southeast Asia has been during the 2021 DPC, there is no question that any of the teams can make it to TI10.
- Philippines based TNC Predator enter the qualifiers in a great state: they finished the regional league in second place and the eliminated Chinese contenders Team Aster at the AniMajor, falling just short of qualifying for TI10. Adding Jun “Bok” Kanehara and Marvin “Boomy” Rushton to complement Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte, Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios and Timothy “Tims” Randrup while also adding Chai “Mushi” Yee Fung to coach the players has certainly served the team well. They also have kept a stable roster, which means they have continuity and established chemistry on their side.
- Team SMG finished the regional league with a 6-1 streak and qualified for the upper division next circuit. They have some big names in their roster such as Yeik “MidOne” Nai Zheng of former Secret and OG fame and TI10 finalist Damien “kpii” Chok.
- A long-time fan favorite, Fnatic have struggled this season, disappointing their supporters at ONE Esports Singapore Major and failing to make a showing at WePlay AniMajor. They have also significantly changed their roster before the qualifiers: Natthapon “Masaros” Ouanphakdee and Kam “Moon” Boon Seng were replaced with Ng “ChYuan” Kee Chyuan and Yang “Deth” Wu Heng respectively. They will have to rely heavily on their carry, Marc Polo “Raven” Fausto, to have a chance to qualify for TI10.
- OB Esports also made roster changes before the qualifiers: Prieme Ejay “PlayHard” Maque left, and the relatively inexperienced Michael “Enryu” Ladines filled the offlane position while Andrei “Skem” Ong moved to position 4.
- Based in UAE, Galaxy Racer finished 3rd in the BTS Pro Series Season 6: Southeast Asia before the qualifiers.
- Boom Esports finished the regional league in the lower division and came in second at the BTS Pro Series Season 6.
- Execration finished Season 2 in third place, denied Fnatic a spot at WePlay AniMajor and won games against the likes of Invictus Gaming and Team Secret at WePlay Animajor’s Wildcard stage.
- Motivate.Trust Gaming got Souliya “JaCkky” Khoomphetsavong and Natthaphon “Masaros” Ouanphakdee back in their roster before the qualifiers. They do have youth and hunger on their side but need to keep cool heads against the more experienced teams in their region.
- Mongolian squad Lilgun will automatically move to round two of the Lower Bracket, thanks to T1 attending TI10 directly.
- Filipino team ex-South Built esports finished the circuit at the lower division and received a disappointing result at the BTS Pro Series.
- Team Mystery, 496 Gaming, Army Geniuses and Cignal Ultra will round up the qualifier attendants, all hailing from the lower division of the regional league.
These teams will all compete between June 30 and July 3 (simultaneously with the North American Dota 2 region) to become the second team from Southeast Asia to attend TI10 and have a shot at the US$40 million prize pool.
