Fnatic.DJ: The Philippines’ last hope in The International 2016

While the lone Filipino team in The International 2016 (TI6), TNC, may have been eliminated from the tournament, the Philippines is not entirely out of the running yet. Arguably the most skilled Pinoy Dota player, Djardel Jicko B. “DJ” Mampusti, and his team Fnatic have also made a stellar run through TI6, and are still in contention for a spot at the Top 4. From the verge of almost certain elimination, DJ and his team now have their sights set at the championship.

The most favored son of Philippine Dota, Fnatic.DJ is now the sole remaining Filipino in the tournament. Pic courtesy of @DOTA2

Fnatic faced a tough road even before TI6 itself officially began. After not being directly invited by Valve, much to the chagrin of their fans, they were forced to go through the SEA Regional Qualifiers, where they were upset by TNC and finished second. The team went through a rough Group Stage, finishing at the bottom of Group B in the first two days. After finding their footing in Day 3, Fnatic were at least able to tie with Team Liquid and Team Secret as they were seeded to the Lower Bracket in the Main Event.

Group Stage standings before the Main Event. While Fnatic were able to recover from a rough first two days, they were still seeded to the Lower Bracket and faced elimination throughout their run at the Main Event. Pic courtesy of Wykhrm Reddy

At the Main Event, Fnatic had to go through the Lower Bracket and faced elimination all throughout the way. They first faced against Wildcard team Escape Gaming and then TI3 champions Alliance in the first two rounds of the Lower Bracket, both of which they quickly dispatched. Before they could get through to the Top 6 however, DJ and his team faced their biggest challenge in TI6 yet in the form of Team Liquid, one of the powerhouse European teams and another favorite to win the tournament.

In Game 1 vs Liquid, Fnatic displayed their now signature style of controlled aggression, surgically picking apart their opponents with patient yet hard-hitting skirmishes and timely counter-ganks, before overrunning their enemies in explosive teamfights. To counter Liquid’s farm-intensive core duo of Naga Siren and Death Prophet, Fnatic drafted a highly mobile and hard-hitting lineup consisting of Luna, Ember Spirit, and Slardar, backed up by Undying and Shadow Demon for DJ as a solid support duo. Despite the highly defensive nature of his hero, DJ was able to make a big and tangible impact with clutch Disruptions to save his allies, well-placed Shadow Poisons and Demonic Purges to incapacitate and deal huge amounts of damage to his enemies, while keeping up with his cores in farm. 40 minutes in, Fnatic proved too much for Liquid to handle as they call GG with a 37-12 kill score.

Game 2, however, would be the real test for DJ and his team, and the result will go down as a statement by Fnatic to all those who underestimate them. Despite drafting Queen of Pain, Drow Ranger, Sand King, Undying, and Shadow Shaman, a lineup designed to win the early game, Fnatic was bowled over by Liquid’s early game aggression with Axe, Sven, Razor, Ancient Apparition, and Oracle. In a struggle for dominance during the early to midgame, Liquid led in kills 25-7 around the 22-minute mark while Fnatic struggled to fight back in clashes. Despite being behind for most of the game Fnatic were able to win the bloody slugfests in defense of their towers, with DJ on Shadow Shaman incapacitating the enemy heroes with his myriad of disables to allow his team to kite Liquid to death. Overconfidence by Liquid’s cores made them forego buying crucial BKBs to combat Fnatic’s multiple disables and heavy magic damage from Sand King, Queen of Pain, and DJ’s Shadow Shaman. In crucial teamfights around the 27 and 31-minute marks, Fnatic were able to wipe out their opponents and take back the lead. While Fnatic were then able to break into Liquid’s base, they were still unable to close out the game. 54 minutes in however, DJ made arguably the game-winning play when he blinked onto Liquid’s high-ground to summon Mass Serpent Wards to attack the towers, baiting Liquid’s Sven to blink onto him and cast Storm Hammer to engage. A timely force staff away followed up by a Ghost Scepter usage by DJ essentially baited the enemy carry to the waiting arms of his allies, who promptly killed him. With Liquid’s Sven down for almost two minutes without buyback, Fnatic were free to deliver the killing blow. Despite dying in the ensuing siege, DJ gave his team the opportunity to force the GG from Liquid after 54 minutes of non-stop action.

In one fell swoop, Fnatic not only eliminated another tournament favorite, but also the last European team in TI6. The SEA region from where Fnatic’s players came from has always been looked at as one of the weaker regions in competitive Dota when compared to China or Europe. With Fnatic qualifying for TI6, there are now only 2 SEA teams, 2 NA teams, and 1 Chinese team. Indeed, TNC and Fnatic’s respective runs in TI6 prove that the SEA region and its teams are not to be taken lightly.

DJ and his teammates, Ohaiyo and 343, proudly walk away from their victory against Liquid. Pic courtesy of @DOTA2

In a team of SEA superstars and veterans, like Chai “Mushi” Yee Fung, Chong Xin “Ohaiyo” Khoo, and Zheng “MidOne” Yeik Nai, DJ stands apart. Perhaps by the nature of their support roles, he and Adam Erwann “343” Shah are rather soft-spoken and hardly given the spotlight. While Mushi and Midone are known for their high-octane playstyles on the core positions, DJ plays a consistent and reliable support role that can make the right plays when needed. In stark contrast to the boisterous and flashy nature of the stereotypical SEA and PH Dota player, DJ’s cool and calm demeanor belies the persona of arguably one of the most skilled Dota players of all time, and certainly the Philippines’ finest. In the year of the underdog, DJ and his team are set to prove themselves to the rest of the world as they rise to the challenge in TI6.

READ: DJ’s Legend in the Making

Fnatic and DJ have secured a Top 6 finish, along with at least $916,000 or over $42 million. They are now going to face the Korean juggernauts MVP Phoenix for a spot in the Top 4 at Day 5 of The International 2016’s Main Event.

The TI6 Main Event bracket after Day 4. Pic courtesy of Wykhrm Reddy

Should Fnatic win against their fellow SEA team, they will then face another underdog-turned giant team, Digital Chaos (DC). If they win against DC, then they will face the whoever loses in the match between defending champions Evil Geniuses and the last remaining Chinese team Wings Gaming for a spot at the Grand Finals.

The road to the championship has been long, hard, and treacherous, but the Aegis of Champions is within reach, only a couple of matches away. Will Fnatic and DJ go all the way? Stay tuned to Esports by Inquirer.net as The International 2016 nears its conclusion.

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