GosuGamers caught up with BOOM Esports’ mid laner Erin Jasper “Yopaj” Ferrer to talk about the Stockholm Major and the road ahead.
Heading into the ESL One Stockholm Major 2022, the team everyone was talking about was BOOM Esports, who were fresh off a win at the GAMERS GALAXY Dubai Invitational and a second place finish in DPC Tour 2 of the SEA DPC League. But things didn’t pan out the way they would have wanted to in Stockholm. GosuGamers caught up with their mid laner, Erin Jasper “Yopaj” Ferrer to talk about what happened at the Stockholm Major, the development of the SEA region in terms of Dota 2, and the new 7.31d patch, amongst other things.
Hello Yopaj! How is it going? Are you playing the DPC League games from home or is the team bootcamping for the season?
It is going well! We are all at the bootcamp for DPC Tour 3.
Let’s get to the Dota 2. Going into the Stockholm Major, BOOM Esports were one of the favorites to win it all, but you guys finished 9th-12th, what happened?
Overall, I think we weren’t prepared enough for the Stockholm Major, and maybe we were also a bit complacent. When we arrived in Stockholm for the Major, we hadn’t fixed all the problems that we needed to.
We weren’t prepared enough for the Stockholm Major
SEA teams have shown time and again that they can play amazing Dota 2. BOOM Esports won the recent GAMERS GALAXY Dubai Invitational. But time and again, in the big tournaments, they falter. What do you think the reason is? Is it the pressure of playing in a big tournament?
For some teams, it is the pressure. But I think LAN tournaments are just a whole new ballgame. There are a multitude of factors at play.
Over the last few years, do you think the SEA Dota 2 scene has improved on the whole?
SEA Dota 2 has definitely seen improvement over the last few years. We just need to keep being consistent.
How does the mid role feel right now, do you like it?
It’s alright. It depends on the draft, how the mid hero/lane will be played.
You’ve played against a lot of mid players in the last few months. Who did you find to be the most formidable opponent?
Leon “Nine” Kirilin of Tundra Esports and Bozhidar “bzm” Bogdanov of OG were the most formidable opponents in the mid lane.
Nine and bzm were the most formidable opponents in the mid lane
Dota 2 patch 7.31d was just released. Do you like the patch? What is your favorite and least favorite change from the patch?
It is a pretty small patch. I don’t have preferences, but I still like my old heroes. Maybe heroes with a lot of magic damage will see a bit of increase in popularity.
What improvements would you make in the DPC Leagues or DPC Majors, if any? A lot of players believe the leagues are too stretched out, do you think so as well?
Yes, the DPC Leagues are very stretched out. Just imagine playing a game today, and the next one is 10 day later. It is unproductive and takes up a lot of personal time.
For the first time in the history of The International, it will be coming to SEA. Are you excited? Do you think the home crowd will help the region win its first TI?
I am excited! Hopefully, BOOM Esports can qualify for TI11. Having the home crowd will surely help the SEA teams, but it can also add to the pressure.
What do you love doing when you aren’t playing Dota 2?
I like watching Got Talent Golden Buzzers.
Any shoutouts?
Shoutout and thank you to the BOOM Esports staff, my team, and our sponsors, especially Rivalry. To our fans, keep supporting us, we will make you proud soon.
