“Mixed emotions, but winning TI is still our main goal” – BOOM Tims, Lane on DPC Performance & Major Cancellation
BOOM Esports is the new dominant force in Southeast Asian Dota.
They started the offseason with multiple wins in BTS Pro Series – SEA S8 and S9, and Mineski Masters, which they followed up with an eye-catching first-place finish in the DPC Winter Tour. The Hungry Beasts were a cut above the regional competition and were primed to take on the world. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned.
News about the cancellation of the first DPC Major of the year came as a shock for everyone: organizations, pros, and talent, alike. Qualifying for a Major is no easy feat, and for the boys at BOOM who put in the blood, sweat, and tears, (and money) to achieve their goal, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
Esports Inquirer caught up with one of BOOM’s stars, Timothy John “Tims” Randrup, and their manager, Isaac “Lane” Alfon, to talk about the team’s DPC performance and their thoughts on the DPC Major cancellation.
Winning Division 1 was A-okay
BOOM started the tour with a four-game undefeated streak before eventually falling to T1 in match week 5. They then dispatched their final opponent, Execration, to put themselves comfortably at the top of the Division 1 standings.
Is this a dream??? 😭😭
Boomin nggak bisa tidur nyenyak karena masih nggak percaya! Bangun bangun gaesss, tim DOTA 2 BOOM Esports juara DPC SEA 2021/22 Tour 1: Div 1🔥🔥❤️🥇 pic.twitter.com/SEi0s3aBvL
— BOOM Esports (@boomesportsid) January 19, 2022
Despite this result, Tims revealed that the team still has a lot of things to work on.
“[Our dominant performance this season] feels okay, [but] we still have a lot to improve as a team,” Tims revealed.
A very humble statement from a player with an 81.13% in the 53 games he played under BOOM’s banner.
Major canceled? BOOM’s goal remains the same
Finishing first in the DPC SEA 2021/22 Tour 1: Division I would have secured BOOM a ticket to this year’s first DPC Major, but that ticket went up in smoke before all their matches even concluded.
“[I] feel happy to qualify [for this year’s first major] but it’s canceled, right? So [I] kinda [feel] mixed emotions [right now],” Tim stated.
However, Tims is still deadset on qualifying, and winning a TI, despite these circumstances.
“Winning TI is our main goal,” Tims declared.
Meanwhile, Boom’s Dota 2 manager Lane had much to say regarding the matter.
“Of course, I’m saddened [by the cancellation of the major]. I’m sad for the boys, they’ve been wanting to play at [a LAN event], [against] other international teams. They deserved it, we deserved it, but we have to face constraints. I just wish by next time, [there will be] better communication from Valve,” Lane expressed.
Thank you guys! Becoming #1 SEA DPC Season 1 is such an honor for us! What a great happiness in a great new year of 2022. 🔥💪🏼 #StayHungry #HungryBeast pic.twitter.com/TNsePVVeW5
— BOOM Esports (@boomesportsid) January 19, 2022
It’s no secret that teams, players, and organizations were displeased with the sudden cancellation of this year’s first Major. Valve eventually called for a meeting to consult with teams regarding the canceled Major. However, Lane confirmed to us that there was still no Major and hinted at an upcoming announcement.
“Yes, [there’s still no major], but there will be an announcement soon. I’m not at liberty to discuss it [though],” Lane revealed.
With BOOM’s impressive showing at this season’s first DPC tour, it’s a shame we couldn’t see them perform at a Major. All hope is not lost, though. For now, BOOM and their fans can only sit and wait as the world’s situation gets better and stay hungry for more.
Update: Valve has recently released an announcement regarding DPC 2021-2022 Winter Tour Regional Finals.
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