T1 beat Aster 2-0 in Animajor and Qualify for The International 10
T1, led by Filipino offlaner and captain Carlo “KuKu” Palad, overwhelm Team Aster 2-0 in the first upper bracket series of the WePlay Animajor to secure 970 DPC points and qualify for The International.
Many were surprised by the team’s exemplary performance last night as they opted not to use meta heroes in the tournament like the combo of Axe carry and Templar Assasin midlane. Instead, they drafted Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahon’s signature Morphling paired with a Broodmother offlane to crush the Terrorblade-centered lineup of Team Aster in Game 1 of the series.
Game 1 is DONE!! @T1 take map 1 over @TeamAsterCN! 🤩
An incredible first map, who's ready for the next?
FEATURED STORIES📺https://t.co/6o2PYyMsQm#AniMajor #WePlayAniMajor pic.twitter.com/756dUBQLHN
— WePlay Esports @ AniMajor (@WePlay_Esports) June 9, 2021
Game 2 began with Team Aster picking Death Prophet, a hero is known to be a constant pick in the Chinese meta because of its early pushing ability and its durability in teamfight clashes. Aster wrapped up their draft with a Medusa carry but according to the game analysts, the hero was deeply wounded in the latest patch as Valve reworked the hero’s OP mana snake and level 15 talent.
T1 drafter and captain KuKu, however, was unfazed by Aster’s muscled lineup and picked a double-sustain backline of Enchantress and Abaddon. As a precaution to the Death Prophet going online early and hitting its power spike, T1 went with a Magnus-Lifestealer combo.
Karl “Karl” Baldovino’s Magnus eventually had the last laugh as he swept the game with his momentum-turning RPs to set the tempo and the game in favor of his team to secure their slot in the Upper Bracket semifinals and most importantly their slot in The International.
.@T1 to TI! 🥳
After that huge 2-0 win against @TeamAsterCN they have landed themselves enough DPC points to get to the TI! ✈️
📺https://t.co/6o2PYyuRYO#WePlayAniMajor #AniMajor pic.twitter.com/547TpM0Axi
— WePlay Esports @ AniMajor (@WePlay_Esports) June 9, 2021
In the post-game interview, KuKu emphasized that even though their goal of qualifying for TI was at stake in the match, he and T1’s coach and former TNC captain Park “March” Taewon reminded themselves not to mind the results and solely focus their attention on the game. KuKu added that his 4 teammates will be going to TI for the first time in their careers, which made the victory sweeter.
On the other hand, TNC Predator’s journey to TI is not yet finished as they fight Team Aster today at 5pm PHT, for the right to live another day and stay alive at the tournament. Let us congratulate T1 and keep supporting another Pinoy team hoping to qualify to TI.
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