If the first day was a ten in terms of our business, we estimated the second day to be a five. The schedule is very laid back, and thus we decided that we will not arrive so early on this day. The GosuGamers accounts of our local correspondents Fred and Raph were also given special access to drafting and live blogs, which further justified our lust for a bit more of sleep.
A bit more of sleep we had, as we actually were able to miss the entire drafting phase of the first game. We were never really worried as our enthusiastic colleagues were already there (one actually attended the pubstomp, an overnight LAN party on the same venue), and both of them are already assigned to either the live blog or the match recap. Nonetheless, Eric and I wasted no time in setting up the event pages and the pictures so we can start the day.
It was good that we were not late by much though. Its not that we would have missed a lot, it is that we might have missed the whole series. Titan made very short work of Startale, with no match lasting more than 19 minutes. The Koreans received much love though, with a lot of people acknowledging the fact that the team managed to improve within such a short time.
MP and Febby of Startale
A Pandaren cosplay found itself on the venue. Well, it was the cosplay day so it wasn't really surprising. But this guy is so awesome that I just have to take a picture with him. His arrival started a consistent influx on other guys as well, and their pictures are probably what I will be posting on this blog. The next game, the lower bracket finals between Titan and MiTH.Trust, isn't set to happen until around 5-6 hours from then, so its really some dead time.
I and the Pandaren cosplay
The lords of Dota should have seen my idleness, as the Nexon Sponsorship League's 2nd season and the playoffs of the Fengyun tournament both started during that window. I took special interest on the MVP.Phoenix-5inQ game, particularly because the latter removed Phoenix's invincibility aura right from the first match. That was a very, very nasty Lifestealer by QO.
On the venue, two young solo artists took the stage separately to sing a couple songs. The cosplayers then had the limelight focused on them as each of them were given a few minutes on stage to show-off with their character monolog and moves. Guest judge, Filipino cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao is also there with a fiery Lina (or at least it looks like that) cosplay.
Alodia, appearing as guest judge, rocking a Lina cosplay.
The NSL game took the maximum five games, but the last game was spolied by a lopsided game in favor of Phoenix. It was a good series though, as both teams should be very well aware that there is approximately $67,500 at stake on this competition ($75,000~ for the champion and just $7,500~ for the runner-up).
On another occasion of perfect timing, the loser's bracket finals between MiTH.Trust and Titan has just started! I was hearing MiTH.Trust winning the first few minutes of the game not only from the casters, but also from the gasping pro-Titan crown on D'Marquee. The Malaysian team bounced back nicely though, and took control of the first game. If anything, the second game was just a frustrating one for the Thai as they were shut down on all of the lanes. Titan looked really, really strong.
Titan won. But you guys know them already. Here is a picture of the winning cosplay instead, Dragon Knight!
I patched up some articles before finally having the time to chill out and walk around the venue. There also was a showmatch between GE3 guys (organizers) and the casters (GoDz, Tobi, Flava and two others) on the stage, which one of our crew members, Raphael, casted. I wasn't able to finish the whole thing but I heard that GoDz threw on an EG scale. I will not believe it until I see it with my own eyes, but I was told that he built three Relics on Weaver (not Radiance, not Rapier, just relics). He also skilled stats on level 1, but I guess I can't argue his early game success.
We then went over to the chalet where the players were staying and then we joined Mineski as they were having some Barbeque. Calvin, also known as a BloodyMassacre, made a very good impromptu Cook, dealing with frozen goods of massive proportions. Mineski and Titan's rooms are adjacent, so it was not surprising to see kyxy joining in. Mineski told me on Filipino (language) that they will drug kyxy's food, so he will have to fight the restroom instead of the Filipino team. Oh, it would be the perfect crime - kyxy has no clue of what they were saying! The rest of the members of Titan are away though, but I guess that (kyxy alone eating with Mineski) further shows how comfortable the two teams are with each other.
Barbeque on the chalet with the guys from Mineski
We took the cab straight back home, and it was honestly an amazing choice. I would say its much more convenient and faster than taking the train, on just a little premium. I slashed my wallet a bit by ordering Tiramisu on room service, but I would say that it is worth it.
Titan will be facing Mineski on the last day, with the championship at stake. Mineski, coming from the winner's bracket, will have a series advantage. Basically, the grand finals is a best-of-three of a best-of-three. For Titan to win, they need to win two best-of-three series, while Mineski only has to win one series. This match-up I think has become the biggest rivalry on the SEA Dota scene, rooting back from the days of Orange. Do you guys know the statement that 'people love the underdog?' This is obviously not the case, as around 95% of the local crowd feels like are rooting for Titan. And yes, you read that right. Mineski may be on the winner's bracket, but I am sure that no one is seeing Titan is the underdog on this match-up.
The last times these two teams faced each other (aside from this tournament) was the finals of the GMPGL SEA (Mineski won 2-0) and the finals of the SEA Cup (Titan won 3-2).
The games are quite early also tomorrow, with it starting at 0930 SGT. We will also have a dinner with the teams after the tournament, so I'm excited for that as well. I'll be expecting you guys to watch the finals with me, see you!
