Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via ESL

TNC Predator defeat BOOM Esports to win ESL One Thailand

TNC have finally won an online event.
This article is over 4 years old and may contain outdated information

Months of being a punching bag for other Southeast Asian Dota 2 teams have finally come to an end. TNC Predator have taken home their first online title of the season at ESL One Thailand with a 3-2 win over BOOM Esports. 

Recommended Videos

This is the team’s first overall win of the year, with their most recent title coming last November at the MDL Chengdu Major, the first Major of the 2019-20 Dota Pro Circuit. 

From the start, this was one of TNC’s better showings this season, going 4-1 (9-3 overall) in the group stage, only dropping a full series to Fnatic. That led into a deep playoff run, where they took down Neon Esports and then swept BOOM in the upper bracket finals. 

Despite being knocked down to the lower bracket, BOOM continued to impress in yet another big tournament, with Alfi “Khezcute” Nelphyana and his squad eliminating a struggling Fnatic roster, who they previously swept in the group stage. That ended a loser’s run from Fnatic that involved sweeps of Geek Fam, Sparking Arrow Gaming, and Neon Esports. 

A Terrorblade first draft for BOOM led to a slow death for TNC to start the final series, with Gabbi’s Phantom Assassin being the only net positive hero on the side of TNC. Randy “Dreamocel” Sapoetra played out of his mind on that Terrorblade, going 13/0/1 for 37,300 damage to give his team the early edge. 

TNC did bounce back with a strong Void Spirit/Drow Ranger combo for Armel and Gabbi controlling the entire second round. BOOM had no chance to find their footing as TNC marched to a 28-8 victory. 

Game three had a similar outcome, with the Armel and Gabbi duo going untouched with identical 9/0/12 lines on Lina and Void Spirit respectively, but BOOM forced a decisive game five behind a massive Outworld Devourer game from Rafli “Mikoto” Rahman.

TNC closed things out with a strong Magnus performance from Armel and solid all-around performance for everyone else, especially kpii who was great all tournament, taking home $50,000 and their first title in just under 10 months. 

And while the award hasn’t been named yet, kpii is one of the finalists for the ESL One Thailand 2020 Online Asia Mecedes Benz MVP.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Cale Michael
Cale Michael
Lead Staff Writer for Dota 2, the FGC, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more who has been writing for Dot Esports since 2018. Graduated with a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and also previously covered the NBA. You can usually find him writing, reading, or watching an FGC tournament.