Shanghai Major SEA Qualifier Day 1: PH struggles as Malaysia races ahead

Juno Reyes

Thursday, January 7, 2016
9:18 pm

| DOTA 2, Shanghai Major

Despite the fact that the Philippines had the most representatives going into the Shanghai Major – SEA Qualifier that opened earlier today, three of the four Filipino teams are now projected to not make it out of their groups and into the playoffs.

Mineski-Dota, TNC Pro Team, Extremist (GROUP A) and Execration (GROUP B) combined for a total score of 5-15 to open the #LabanPinas campaign. Remove Mski-Dota from the equation, and the three teams are left with a horrible 2-14 win-loss card. Take away the two wins that TNC claimed over compatriots XTRMST, and you realize that the PH outside of Mski was scoreless against other countries.

But perhaps the most unfortunate thing to have happened to PH Dota fans today was XTRMST’s disqualification in their second series, as they failed to make it on time for their match against First Departure, resulting in a 0-2 default loss for them. According to Mski-Dota’s manager Yamyam, XTRMST had logged out of their computer stations thinking that the published (yet tentative) match schedules were going to be followed to the minute, having overlooked the fact that the tournament goes on a follow-by schedule, which means matches are moved ahead of schedule if the previous games finish early.

Despite this, it appears that the matter was discussed in a civilized manner, with both sides coming to a calm understanding. Mineski.net has also been told that despite being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, XTRMST will play their last bo2 against Team Taring tomorrow, showing that despite struggling early on, they are still determined to gain as much experience as they can in their international tournament debut.

MALAYSIA BOLEH

Meanwhile, all three Malaysian teams (including *Mineski-X*, which is 3/5 Malaysian) finish the day with good chances of all advancing to the knockout stages.

In GROUP A, a farmed Sven allowed Taring to steal a game from the tournament favorites Mski-Dota. This, plus a clean 2-0 sweep of TNC meant that they are currently tied for second in their group with Mski-Dota, with similar 3-1 records. Singapore’s First Departure paces the group, being undefeated with a 4-0 card.

Meanwhile, in GROUP B, Fnatic, were absolutely dominant in the only two games they played today. With their reserve Miduan/MidOne taking over midlane duties while Mushi played carry in the stead of now absent ADTR. The old emperors of SEA hardly gave Signature.Trust any breathing room as they secured two quick wins.Lastly, Mineski-X didn’t look like a team that was forced to replace their mid-laner just 48 hours ago, as they played around with new addition Ysaera well enough to finish the day with a 3-1 record, just like their brother team.