Dota 2: DPC SEA, Tour 1 — Predictions

The rankings for Dota Pro Circuit Southeast Asia Tour 1.

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The new DPC Season is about to begin. It will comprise teams who will compete against each other for scoring points and getting a chance to qualify for the Majors and ultimately The International. With Tour 1 kicking off in Southeast Asia, we have two divisions, including eights teams each. Let’s have a look at the teams and how they stack up before the competition.

Division I Power Rankings

8.Team SMG

Team SMG finished second in the Lower Division of the last DPC tour. They will now play in the Upper Division of the region. With their latest addition, Ryan “Raging Potato” Jay Qui and a veteran like Yeik “MidOne” Nai Zheng, SMG have a good chance of becoming the dark horse in the tour.

7. Motivate.Trust Gaming

Motivate.Trust Gaming performed exceptionally well in the Lower Division DPC last tour. Finishing at the top position, they will now compete in the Upper Division of DPC. Captained under Anurat “boombell” Praianun, who rejoined the squad, Motivate have made little to no changes to their squad.

6. BOOM Esports

After an unfortunate ban on Omega Esports, BOOM Esports got its entry into the DPC tour. BOOM were fifth in the first tour of DPC 2021. However, they couldn’t perform well on the second tour and ended up in seventh place. Being led by coach Chai “Mushi” Yee Fung and their recent addition of Justine Ryan Evangelista “Tino” Grimaldo, BOOM will compete in the upcoming tour.

5. Execration

After disappointing matches in the first tour in the DPC, Execration finished sixth on the table. They improved on the performances in the second tour and achieved a third spot behind TNC. Their recent additions include Fernando “Nando” Mendoza and Jayquem “Kimizu” Gumalan. Execration will definitely look to better their game on this tour to challenge the top teams in Division I.

4. Neon Esports

Neon Esports started their DPC journey with a very positive first tour. Finishing second on the table, they also took part in the Singapore Major. Neon’s second tour was underwhelming and the squad couldn’t perform to the previous tour’s standard. They have made some recent changes to the team with Tri Daya “Mamang Daya” Pamungkas and Federico Jr. Cartagina “Abeng” Dicdican joining the squad. Wong “ChuaN” Hock Chuan, their new coach, will work alongside the team.

3. TNC Predator

TNC Predator finished fourth in the first tour of the last circuit. However, the team improved dramatically in the second tour and came second after a defeat to T1 in the tiebreakers. TNC battled their way into the qualifiers to book a place in TI10, but they lost to Fnatic. Forced to sit out from an important event, TNC completely revamped their squad. The new roster under guidance of captain Kim “Febby” Yong-min will take part in the upcoming tour.

2. Fnatic

Fnatic were sitting on top in the first tour of DPC in the season. However, quite a few teams overtook them and Fnatic could only manage a fourth spot on the second tour. Their performances in TI 10 were far from what we know of the powerhouse of SEA Dota. The team has changed its roster with Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios coming in for Ng “ChYuan” Kee Chyuan and Jaunuel “Jaunuel” Arcilla replacing Yang “Deth” Wu Heng. Their captain Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong has moved to the offlane. Fnatic will take a fresh approach with the changes in squad to challenge for a top place.

1. T1

T1 have consistently been one of the top teams from the SEA region. They had brilliant performances in the last season of DPC. Placed third in the first tour, they further improved on their performances and topped the table in the second tour. Their recent performance in The International 10 was commendable. Although T1 would like to improve for Majors and TI, they have a splendid chance of topping the table.

Division II Power Rankings

8. InterActive Philippines

The latest addition to the DPC, InterActive Philippines could win against Atomic Esports and KOBOLDS in the Closed Qualifiers. The team will now face tough challenges in Valve’s circuit.

7. Ragdoll

Coming in from the Open Qualifiers, Ragdoll is a new addition to the DPC scene. The team includes some notable players like Lai “AhJit” Jay Son who has played for Fnatic and EHOME.

6. 496 Gaming

496 Gaming or recently known as SPAWN.496 were fifth in the second tour of last DPC season. However, their performances in the last season doesn’t matter as the org’s roster has changed drastically. With most players joining the team around October-November, 496 has Khoo “Ohaiyo” Chong Xin, who has played for some reputed teams like Fnatic and EHOME.

5. Polaris Esports

In cooperation with South Built Esports, Polaris Esports is a new team in the mix. The new roster has former Neon Esports player John Anthony “Natsumi-“ Vargas and ex-TNC player Marvin “Boomy” Rushton. Although we have placed Polaris fifth in the rankings, the team is strong and has performed well against the likes of Neon and Motivate.Trust Gaming in the BTS Pro Series. However, there is very little to be said about their performance in the DPC.

4. Army Geniuses

Army Geniuses placed fifth in the first tour of last DPC and their performances didn’t improve in the second tour, falling to the sixth spot. The roster has seen Muhammad “Azur4” Lutfi and Rizki “Varizh” Varizh as recent signings.

3. Lilgun

Lilgun were leaders of the table in the first tour of last DPC season. The Mongolian side were formed this year and have not made any roster changes since their inception. They will put up a decent fight against other Division 2 teams to qualify for the first division.

2. Nigma Galaxy SEA

The Nigma and Galaxy Racer partnership didn’t affect the roster of the latter. Galaxy Racer who were fourth in both the tours of the second division last DPC will compete with the same roster. It is not clear if the partnership will have any influence on the way the team plays, but if that’s the case Nigma Galaxy sure will be an interesting bunch to watch.

1. Talon Esports

Talon Esports recently made its entry into Dota 2. It is a well-established organization in games like LoL and Overwatch. Led by former Evil Geniuses captain, Tal “Fly” Aizik, Talon are favorites to top the Lower Division and possibly make their way to the Division 1. Along with Fly, Talon have a brilliant squad including Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte and Rafli Fathur “Mikoto” Rahma.

Source: https://estnn.com/dota-2-dpc-sea-tour-1-predictions/