image credits: redbull.com
Here you have a quick overview of the first two days of SEA qualifiers for Dota 2 Asia Championships 2017.
With eight teams competing in each of the four regions left to decide their participants at the second iteration of DAC, the weekend looks super packed with quality Dota 2 games. The qualifiers begun on the 3rd of February with a two phase format, meaning that the eight teams from each region are spread over two groups of four at first. In this initial phase, they are playing in a GSL double elimination format, bo3 matches where the top two teams from each group will advance in the second phase, the qualifiers playoffs. The second phase has reserved for the teams a double elimination bracket where the sole survivor will qualify for Dota 2 Asia Championships 2017.
The Southeast Asian qualifiers feature the likes of Faceless, Signature.Trust, WG Unity, and Next Generation, who replaced Fnatic in group A, while the group B is a Filipino showdown as TnC, Mineski and Execration have to fight against each other for the two spots available into the playoffs. Joining the three forces from Philippines, in group B are the Indonesian from Rex Regum Qeon, who had a very impressive game one in their series against TnC.
Group A
The first round of matches in group A did not deliver any surprises, with Faceless having no problems defeating Signature.Trust, despite the the Thai team’s drafts emphasizing the 7.01 meta. Meepo, Underlord, Lone Druid, Silencer were all controlled by Faceless with a Rubick - Pudge support duo and an Invoker mid for Anucha 'Jabz' Jirawong in both games of the series.
A successful Meepo, however, was played by WG Unity in their first series against the Vietnamese team Next Generation. Both games of the WG Unity vs Next Generation were decided in 30 minutes with the Malaysian team emerging victorious, which sends them in the winner finals of group A, next to Faceless.
Group A next matches schedule:
February 5, 05:00 CET/ 12:00 SGT WG Unity vs Faceless
February 6, 05:00 CET/ 12:00 SGT Signature.Trust vs Next Generation
February 7, 05:00 CET/ 12:00 SGT TBD vs TBD
Group B
Clearly the underdogs of group B, Rex Regum Qeon put up an amazing first match against TnC, a game that is one hundred percent worth watching in case you missed it. It’s an action packed confrontation, from the very first minute until the end, the final kill score, 22 - 22 reflecting perfectly what happened in the 40 minute match. Unfortunately for the Indonesian fans, their team couldn’t capitalize on their early advantage and the much more experienced TnC didn’t break under their opponents hyper aggression. The second game was a true bloodbath that lasted only 13 minutes, TnC flexing their muscles to end the series with a 24 - 3 kill score.
Advancing into group B’s winners finals, TnC will face their rivals from Mineski, who also made a nice figure by pushing Execration into a decisive game three to win the series. The winner of TnC vs Mineski will have their spot guaranteed into the double elimination playoffs bracket while the loser will have another shot from the loser finals.
Group B next matches schedule:
February 5, 08:00 CET/ 15:00 SGT TnC vs Mineski
February 6, 08:00 CET/ 15:00 SGT Rex Regum Qeon vs Execration
February 7, 08:00 CET/ 15:00 SGT TBD vs TBD
