Having an all-Filipino roster might just be the key for TNC Predator to rediscover its championship form.
Flaunting solid chemistry with Kim "Gabbi" Santos leading the charge, TNC swept OB x Neon Esports, 2-0, to seize back-to-back titles in the APAC Predator League Dota 2 Grand Final 2020/2021 on Sunday night, April 11.
Gabbi on his carry Io spurred the dominant victory in Game 1 before his Queen of Pain wreaked havoc in the crown-clinching Game 2 as TNC defended its throne in the prestigious league.
It was the first professional tournament for TNC since forming an all-Filipino when it tapped ex-Smart Omega standouts and SEA Games gold medalists Marvin "Boomy" Rushton and Jun "Bok" Kanehara.
TNC bagged the champion's prize of $50,000 (P2.4 million) as it exacted revenge on Neon--a top six finisher in the Singapore Major--for its upper bracket finals loss last Friday following a lopsided triumph over Indonesia's Boom Esports in the lower bracket finals earlier.
Gabbi's Io finished with a perfect record of seven kills and 13 assists while joining forces with Armel "Armel" Tabios Invoker (9-1-16 kill-death-assist record) to fuel the 30-11 win in the finals opener in 36 minutes.
Boomy's Clockwerk came up with big-time Hookshot and Power Cog combos en route to 14 assists while Bok's Bloodseeker and Timothy "Tims" Randrup's Snapfire also stepped up to chip in a combined 39 assists.
Gabbi once again went to work on his QOP as he tallied a rampage en route to a monstrous 20-2-7 kill-death-assist record in the 37-18 rout in just 29 minutes in the closing game.
Boomy produced crucial plays anew, casting well-timed Winter's Curse with his Winter Wyvern to end up with 21 assists.
Neon settled for the runner-up's prize of $25,000 (P1.2 million) while Boom got $10,000 (P485,000) for winding up third.
TNC, Neon and Boom will next face each other in the Dota Pro Circuit-Southeast Asia Regional League Season 2 set to start on Wednesday, April 14.