The Dota 2 leg of the Predator League Philippine Finals reached an epic conclusion in SM North EDSA Cyberzone on November 12, 2023.
The grand finale featured the resilience of two outstanding teams, Smurfers and Made in Philippines (MIPH), as they not only battled to win a championship but also aspired to attract the attention of established organizations that could offer them valuable resources they needed to reach even greater heights.
Both made strides en route to the finals, where Smurfers stunned the Wong “ChuaN” Hock Chuan and Ryan “Raging Potato” Qui-led Neon Esports through a 2-1 reverse sweep, while MIPH dispatched InterActive Philippines in a commanding 2-0 sweep.
And as the two finalists made a desperate push to victory, in the end, it was Made in Philippines who clinched the shield, sweeping their foes 2-0.
In the heated bout between these two up-and-coming Dota 2 squads made a statement in both games. In Game 1, their control of the early midlane matchup from Julius “JG” Galeon, combined with the teamfight presence from Glenard “Rupido” Rugay’s Dark Seer sealed the deal. Then in Game 2, MIPH nearly suffered a scare as Smurfers’ Philip “Karma” Torres and Ivan Neil “Fiend” Valencia were snowballing efficiently after a shaky start. However, MIPH masterfully timed their engagements during the clutch moments.
In the series, Kryte “LuziFy” Gabriel was heralded by fans as the Intel MVP and received a Predator Helios Neo 16 and Php10,000.
Given Made in Philippines’ championship in the Philippine Finals comes the opportunity to prove their prowess further, as they have received the prestigious honor of representing the Philippines for the upcoming Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 Grand Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 13 – 14, 2024.
In addition, Made in Philippines likewise obtained Php250,000, while Smurfers took home Php100,000. Neon Esports and InterActive Philippines each secured Php55,000 for their valiant efforts.
MIPH’s underdog story continues as they are not the only ones to represent the country and compete against the very best. They will encounter fierce competition from other iconic Dota 2 teams in the region, namely Blacklist International, Execration, and defending Asia Pacific Predator League champions, Polaris Esports.
Shoutcasters Rain Zerlyn Manaig, Aries “Kalbz ” Alejandro, and Michael Angelo “Alo” Zomil were present calling the shots for the matches. Meanwhile, the dynamic duo of Allyza Taylor and Justin”Vill” Villaserin added more flavor with their hosting, which was further complemented by the appearances of Predator ambassadors, namely Kang Dupet, KuyaNic, MaggieKarp, AmaraTV, and Een Mercado.
