Fnatic went perfect in the tie-breaker, topping fellow The International 10 representatives T1 and Malaysian squad Team SMG to secure the no. 2 spot in the DPC SEA Winter Tour Division I on Saturday, Jan. 22.
Marco Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto took over for the squad as it emerged as the best team in the three-way show down that broke the logjam at the 2nd to 4th spots of the regular season standings after Fnatic, T1 and Team SMG finished with an identical 5-2 records.
The Filipino midlaner carried the load for Fnatic as it overcome a tough stand from Team SMG in the first game of the three-way battle. Raven unloaded a 9-4-14 KDA, conspiring with Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong’s Grimstroke that also finished with 12-9-20 standing to hold off Team SMG, 38-37.
It was a back-and-forth 51-minute affair with no squad getting a chance to hold on to a decisive and comfortable lead. A huge clash at the 49-minute mark, however, proved to be the difference in the tight match as Fnatic scored a five-man wipe and went for the GG push.
The momentum carried over for Fnatic when it collided with fellow SEA region superpower T1. Just like in the first game, Raven spearheaded the attack with a 10-1-7 showing on the Luna. Armel “Armel” Tabios also showed up in the titanic clash a 9-2-8 KDA on the Queen of Pain to help Fnatic take down T1, 24-19, and secure the $28,000 prize and 180 DPC points.
T1, on the other hand, finished at third place after its victory over Team SMG in the final match of the tie-breaker. The International 10 7th-8th placers vented its ire on Team SMG after falling from a potential top spot finish due to key losses to Fnatic both in the regular season and tie-breaker.
T1 easily cruised to a 39-18 stomping of Team SMG led by an impeccable 18-0-11 performance from Thai player Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon while Filipino midlaner Karl “Karl” Jayme added 14-2-13 KDA.
T1 bagged $27,000 prize and 120 DPC points while Team SMG had $26,000 prize and 60 DPC points for finishing fourth. The three will also join Winter Tour top team Boom Esports in the SEA Regional Finals which Valve will host in place for the shelved Winter Tour Major.