In its final bid to qualify for The International 10, OB x Neon Esports signed former South Built Esports offlaner Michael Roi "Enryu" Ladines to complete its roster for the Southeast Asia Regional Qualifier.
OB.Neon revealed the development on Monday night, June 14, a day after parting ways with position 4-support Prieme Ejay "PlayHard" Maque.
With the insertion of Enryu in the offlane, versatile captain Andre "ctm" Ong (popularly known as Skem/Skemberlu) has moved to the soft support role vacated by PlayHard.
Enryu suited up for Kingpins and Happy Feet Emperor before making a name with Vice Esports which was eventually acquired by SBE. He played a crucial part in Vice's successful entry to the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) Season 1 Southeast Asia Upper Division.
However, Enryu and the crew that also featured now-Execration carry Jinn "Palos" Lamatao and veteran Joshua "Samael" Dela Serna (also known as Owa) succumbed to Neon, TNC Predator, T1, Fnatic and other regional powerhouses, resulting in their relegation to the Lower Division.
Come Season 2, Vice dropped its roster and was acquired by South Built, which finished third behind Motivate.Trust Gaming and the Yeik "MidOne" Nai Zheng-led Team SMG in the Lower Division.
With its retooled lineup, Neon is aiming to rediscover the form that lifted them to an unexpected top six finish in the ONE Esports Singapore Major last April heading to the bloody TI10 regional qualifier slated June 30 to July 3.
Neon, which also has SG Major breakout star Japoy "Yopaj" Ferrer (mid laner), John Anthony "Natsumi-" Vargas (carry) and Jaunuel "Jaunuel" Arcilla (position-5 support), will battle it out against WePlay AniMajor participants TNC and Execration, Fnatic, among others, for the lone qualifying slot.
Skem and his squad will start their qualifying campaign in the upper bracket versus MG Trust led by ex-T1 carry Souliya "JaCkky" Khoomphetsavong and former Fnatic offlaner Natthaphon "Masaros" Ouanphakdee.
Neon fell short of securing a direct invite to the $40 million (P1.9 billion) TI set on August 5-15 in Stockholm, Sweden after amassing only 650 DPC points, short of the 801-point threshold.