Filipino carry Polo "Raven" Fausto went to work as Fnatic tripped erstwhile unbeaten team Neon Esports, 2-1, to snatch the top spot in the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC)-Southeast Asia upper division on Thursday night.
The 11K MMR star's Io took charge in the series opener before his Wraith King combined forces with Malaysian midlaner Kam "Moon" Boon Seng's Death Prophet in the thrilling 52-minute Game 3.
With the hard-fought victory, Fnatic soared to the No. 1 spot with a 5-1 record and a winner-over-the-other advantage against Neon (5-1).
The Malaysia-based team only needs to win its "SEA Clasico" battle against TNC Predator on Wednesday, February 24, to secure the pole position that guarantees a ticket straight to the Singapore Major playoffs.
The No. 2 and No. 3 squads at the end of the season are set to get a spot in the Major group stage and wildcard phase, respectively.
Armed with an Aghanim's Scepter in just 15 minutes and eventually Heart of Tarrasque, Raven's Io snowballed his way to six kills and 17 assists without a death as Fnatic took first blood with a 27-10 rout in just 32 minutes in Game 1.
Neon managed to force a decider with 11K MMR carry John Anthony "Natsumi-" Vargas' Phantom Lancer going ham with 11 kills and nine assists against zero deaths to power the PH dark horse team's 25-20 win in the 39-minute Game 2.
But Raven once again came through with a perfect game as his Wraith King racked up four kills and 13 assists while also joining hands with Moon's Death Prophet that tallied a 9-4-13 kill-death-assist record in the 24-17 Game 3 victory.
Neon will try to rediscover its winning form in time for its crucial closing match on Thursday, February 25, against T1 which is also eyeing to clinch a Major slot.
T1, led by Filipino veteran offlaner Carlo "Kuku" Palad and star midlaner Karl "Karl" Baldovino, is coming off a 2-0 drubbing of Vice Esports just two days ago.