Jay: "We will have the disadvantage because we really don’t play DotA anymore"

Just a few hours into SGDNT, we bring to you our last pre-event interview. Read on to know what Mineski's young star has to say about their team, their roster and the event.



Good afternoon. Thank you for making time for this interview. Would you mind introducing yourselves to our readers?

Hi I’m Jay from Mineski

Of course, your team is one of the most recognized DotA teams - you have a massive social media fan base in testament to that. However, one can say that Mineski was launched into global prominence via a very strong gaming year back 2011 - A win over Nv.Cn at TI2, and crowned as overall champion at GMPGL Season 3 and the TGX. The icing on the cake was a podium finish at SMM ‘11, something that the Chinese had completely monopolized the past 3 years. Can you share some insights about that stretch?

Well, all I can say is it's all about luck :D

Humble as usual. And you have continued that into the start of the year 2012. If I am not mistaken, you have won the Thailand Game Show and the very first leg of GEST right?

Yes.

After that though, the team caught a little bit of a slump. Not that the team is entirely playing bad, inconsistent may be a better word. What were the changes that led to those performances?

Mainly because of the roster changes. :))

Can you tell us more about it?

It has been the main problem of our team in the past. [It is] because of the continuous changes in the roster.

We also heard your confirmation for SMM this year. Is that right?

Yup.

A year later, what do you think is the difference of SMM?

It won’t be a massive tournament unlike the past SMM because there won’t be any Chinese top teams in Dota 1. [It would be] better if SMM diverts to Dota 2.

Participating teams would be different as well as last year, and you guys aren’t spared. Which roster would compete for Mineski on this tournament?

Owa, Wootz, Jay, Sel and Swish

Why did you decide to push through with that roster?

We really didn’t push for this tournament because we really focus on Dota 2. I really don’t want to get any other DotA players mainly because of [this is] what we call “team bonding”.



Among the participating PH teams on SMM, you guys are the team which had invested more on Dota 2. Do you think that will have any advantage or disadvantage?

We will have the disadvantage because we really don’t play DotA anymore.

How did you guys train for this event?

Play some pub games, etc. etc.

You finished 3rd last year. Given the top 2 finishers from last year aren’t here, do you consider yourselves as the favorite?

Nope.

Which of the other competing teams do you consider the toughest, the hardest to beat?

If iG will join, iG will be the one. :)


I really appreciate the time that you have spared for this interview. Do you have any greetings and shout-outs to friend and sponsors?

I would like to greet Razer, Powercolor, HyperX and to all of our sponsors & our managers - Nattefrost, Jerry Ocampo, Bei Manuel, Ana Bartolome, Jeff Aga In, Kenchi Yap, Ronald Robins and all the others.