Execration missed its first chance of barging into the upper division of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC)-Southeast Asia Regional League after losing to Vietnam's 496 Gaming, 0-2, in the second round of the Closed Qualifier Stage 1 on Tuesday night.
The black and blue squad was not able to fully utilize its Aghanim's Scepter-equipped Vengeful Spirit strategy in the series as 496 punished them to secure the second qualifying spot in the Regional League's top division.
While Execration struggled, the Vietnamese team was successful with its midlane Riki pick for Bui "hunghung" Van Hung in Game 1 where they prevailed with a 51-30 scoreline in 43 minutes.
Hard carry Nguyen "Datbb" Thanh Dat then took charge with his Ember Spirit in Game 2, finishing with a 19-3-19 kill-death-assist record to close out the series.
496 became the second team to enter the eight-team upper division next to Filipino team Neon Esports, which swept compatriot Vice Esports earlier.
The two joined PH powerhouse TNC Predator, Fnatic, BOOM Esports and T1 which received direct invites to compete in the upper division where the Major participants will be determined.
Execration still has a shot at making it when it takes on the winner between Cignal Ultra and Smart Omega in the lower bracket round two on Thursday.
Cignal and Omega, which lost to Vice and Neon respectively on the opening day, will lock horns on Wednesday at 4 p.m