The Summit 3 SEA Qualifier Grand Finals: El Clasico
After six days of endless action, the Summit 3 SEA Qualifier Finals have finally boiled down to two teams. On one hand is the Korea-based Filipino team Rave, going undefeated all the way to the Grand Finals, just dropping two maps along the way. On the other hand is MVP. Phoenix, which was beaten by Rave in the upper bracket finals and had to fight their way through their sister team MVP.HOT6IX in order to arrange a rematch in the Grand Finals.
With another big match about to go underway, let’s have a look at what these two gladiators can offer in what seems to be the new El Clasico of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Dota scene.
Rave: Overseas Pride
At this point, no one can doubt that Rave is one of the best teams in the SEA region. The amazing performances they have shown in China during the Dota 2 Asia Championships (DAC) prove that they can duke it out against other top teams from all over the world. Gameplay-wise, they tend to gravitate towards a three-core strategy, prioritizing farm for Jio “Jeyo” Madayag and picking up whatever potent supports are available for Michael “nb” Ross as well as Mark “Cast” Pilar, thus creating space to force clashes at any stage of the game.
Will this be enough in order to earn them a ticket to Los Angeles?
MVP.Phoenix: A Revamped Spirit
MVP.Phoenix has shown that they can rise back from the ashes as they have demonstrated a wonderful performance throughout the qualifiers, losing only to their Filipino rivals in the upper bracket. They have been the king of the Korean scene for a very long time until they were dethroned by Rave in the latest season of the Korean Dota 2 League. Thus far, their latest signings in the form of former Pokerface stars Damien “kphoenii” Chok and Kim “Febby” Yongmin have been delivering the extra dose that the Koreans needed in order to get this far.
Only one question remains: Will this Korean dream team be able break Rave’s momentum?
The Stats: Facing Off
Since their first official tournament match back in May 11, 2014, Rave and MVP.Phoenix have faced each other a total of eighteen matches. Rave won seven times, MVP.Phoenix has bagged eight of these outings and both sides share a draw. These matches range from short BO1s to head-wracking BO5 thrillers and it is important to mention that the Filipino-based team has not dropped the last four matchups against the Koreans.
In another vein, both sides have faced each other in the grand finals of a SEA qualifier or major tournament four times, with Rave and MVP.Phoenix taking two apiece.
With all these being said, the match will be on March 14, 2015 at 5 p.m. Philippine Standard Time in a best-of-five showdown that will put these two teams to the test.
Will the Korean dream come through and prove the dominance of Korean Dota? Or will the Filipinos be able to step it up and bring the #RAVEolution to America?
Keep your fingers crossed!
*Statistics from Gosugamers
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