#PHWillPlay: TnC and Execration’s Long Road to the International 2016

The Pinoy dream is alive. TnC and Execration (Xctn), the representatives of the Philippines to the biggest Dota 2 tournament in history, The International 2016 (TI6), have secured their visas and are currently on their flight to Seattle after almost two harrowing weeks of waiting for approval from the US embassy.

READ: https://esports.inquirer.net/16019/tnc-execration-secures-us-visa-1-day-flight-international-6

This is the first time that a Filipino team, let alone two, will be competing in the prestigious tournament since Mineski’s appearance in the first International back in 2011. With both teams on their way to Seattle, that’s one battle down in their campaign for the Aegis of Champions.

But, perhaps  the question in everyone’s minds is, how will they fare in the battles waiting for them in Seattle?

There is little doubt that this year’s International is the most stacked and competitive yet, and all the participating teams are taking whatever time they can to practice for the grueling competition ahead of them. However, while most other teams were busy training, TnC and Xctn were too busy dealing with their visa issues to get some proper practice in.

This might have a significant effect on both team’s, especially Xctn’s, performances in the tournament, as was seen in the past.

Back in The International 2014, Arrow Gaming, who won the SEA Qualifier, and CIS Game, one of the Chinese phase-one playoff (a precursor to the wildcard system) teams, almost missed the tournament due to visa issues. While both were eventually able to fly to Seattle, their lack of  practice, due to the attention they had to devote to getting their visas, showed in their lackluster results. CIS Game, which had the famed German carry player Dominik “Black^” Reitmeier in its roster back then, were eliminated in the phase-one playoffs, while Arrow Gaming ended up last in the group stages and didn’t even make it to the main event.

While TnC are in a more comfortable position due to being one of the qualified teams, and can get in a few days of practice and scrims before the tournament starts, the same cannot be said for Xctn. After they touch down in Seattle, Xctn have at least a day to prepare for the wildcards, where they are the clear underdogs. They’ll have to give the fight of their lives before they can even compete in TI6 itself.

As for TnC, their fates will most likely be affected by what groups they’ll land in the preliminary group stages. With Valve implementing two groups of eight teams for the group stages, TnC might have a better shot of getting at least a respectable placing. Even if they do end up in the best-of-one lower bracket in the main event, TnC has the potential to pull off an upset that the Pinoy teams are known for. And with their recent addition of the famed ‘Dota mercenary’ Jimmy “Demon” Ho, who has competed in TI1 and TI4, TnC has an experienced player that can help refine the sheer talent of his Pinoy teammates into a considerable force.

With all that said, even if TnC and Execration didn’t have any visa issues and were able to prepare for TI6, the road ahead of them is still undeniably tough. No one can truly tell what will happen once the tournament begins, but the Philippines can be sure that both teams will no doubt do their very best to keep the Pinoy dream alive in TI6.

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