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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Armel raring to play in crucial TNC vs Fnatic 'SEA El Clasico'

Armel raring to play in crucial TNC vs Fnatic 'SEA El Clasico'

Published Feb 21, 2021 08:58 pm
Photo from TNC Pro Team - Dota 2 Facebook page

TNC Predator star midlaner Armel "Armel" Tabios is eager to go up against their fierce rival Fnatic in an all-important series in the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC)-Southeast Asia upper division.

Dubbed as the "SEA El Clasico," the much-awaited match between the two powerhouse teams is slated on Wednesday, February 24, at 7 p.m.

"I'm really looking forward to that match. We're training really hard these days," said Armel, who is part of the elite 11K MMR club and currently ranked No. 6 in the SEA leaderboard.

"We're kind of rivals. So we're gonna do our best against those guys," added the 21-year-old pro.

Stakes could not get higher as both TNC and Fnatic are on a must-win scenario to secure their place in the Singapore Major--the first Dota 2 Major tournament this year--that will be hosted by ONE Esports and PGL next month.

TNC, currently tied with T1 at No. 3 on a similar 4-2 record, needs to emerge victorious and hope that the Carlo "Kuku" Palad and Karl "Karl" Baldovino-led T1 will lose to Neon Esports (5-1) on Thursday, February 25, to avoid any complications.

On the other hand, the league-leading Fnatic (5-1) will punch a ticket straight to the Major playoffs with a victory over the Filipino powerhouse squad.

Only the top three teams in the SEA upper division will make it to the Singapore Major, with the No. 1 getting a spot in the playoffs, the No. 2 taking a seat in the group stage and the No. 3 settling for a slot in the wildcard phase.

Standings photo from Gabbidota Facebook page

TNC is coming off a 2-0 sweep of Vietnam's 496 Gaming behind Armel's Death Prophet in Game 2 and 11K MMR carry Kim "Gabbi" Santos' Alchemist in the Game 1 comeback on Saturday night, February 20.

Fnatic, for its part, is fresh from a massive triumph after dealing former leader Neon its first defeat, 2-1, with 11K MMR Filipino carry Polo "Raven" Fausto's Wraith King leading the charge together with Malaysian mid laner Kam "Moon" Boon Seng's Death Prophet in the deciding Game 3.

Related Tags

Dota 2 TNC Predator TNC Fnatic Dota Pro Circuit Armel Armel Tabios Dota Predator DPC-Southeast Asia
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