The Chinese scene is currently seeing quite a few promising amateur teams compete with each other as the Dota 2 Semi-Pro League is in full force. The top 10 teams are playing for two spots in the Dota 2 Asia Invitational, details of which have yet to be announced.
MarsTV in collaboration with Perfect World have created the Dota 2 Semi-Pro League, a tournament aimed at amateur teams that sets a professional environment. A total of ten teams have qualified for the final stage and are now playing out a round-robin bo2. Once their bo2 fights have been concluded the leading four teams will move to the next stage. It is likely that the top four teams will play out a double elimination bracket to determine the winner, but the exact details have yet to be announced. Interestingly enough, these ten teams will all be awarded with roughly $4,000 each for just getting this far. The top two teams of the tournament will be awarded with a spot in the Dota 2 Asia Invitational, details of which have yet to be announced.
The ten teams qualified:
1. Wings
2. Newbee.Y
3. 99
4. Fbp
5. Fly
6. U5
7. Shield
8. Lilith
9. EP
10. ishowHMM
League Structure
The general structure of this league is rather easy since it is compiled out of two general phases; the preliminary, which consists of two stages, and the official matches. During the preliminary phase a total of 128 teams fought their way to the top of their respective groups where the top two finishers of each would advance to the last stage before the official matches commenced. The 16 remaining teams were placed in a group where each team confronted each other for a spot to the 10 ten qualifying teams.
The following is a promotional video for the league, featuring Vici Gaming's Black^ and fy, as well as xiao8's wife.
Here is a translation of the Chinese part by fy and xiao8's wife, provided by Edooley:
Zhao Jie (xiao8's wife):
I am Zhao Jie. I am a fan and also the wife of xiao8. I bare witness of hardship and pain. I also witnessed brilliant glories. As if I was baptized by the storm. Finally I have broken through the misty clouds. Who are you?
FY:
I am FY. I am the past and the future. My reputation is that of success. When you have ascended the throne and looking back at your subjects. WHO are you.
Mikasa, former Newbee coach, current CDEC coach:
I am God of War. I am the blood of enthusiasm. I am the allure of the strength of your final battle. I know who YOU are. YOU are the next King.