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| (Image Source: AFK Gaming/Tier One Entertainment) |
After solidifying their position in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) as a global eSports giant, premier professional gaming media company Tier One Entertainment and top Philippine eSports team Blacklist International are finally expanding its presence in the professional gaming scene to DOTA 2 in partnership with Predator Gaming. Blacklist DOTA 2 has arrived with some of the best Filipino talents on its roster, vying for international acclaim in the highly competitive eSports landscape. The star-studded team includes Marc “Raven” Fausto, Karl “Karl” Baldovino, Carlo “Kuku” Palad, Timothy “TIMS” Randrup, and Nico “eyyou” Barcelo.
“Tier One has always believed that talents in South East Asia are capable of competing globally regardless of which country. However, we opted to go for a full Filipino squad because we also believe in the value of communication in a team game like DOTA 2. The players from the Philippines have had a long history of success in this game and for me I’m just excited to have the opportunity to see some of the best players in Southeast Asia (SEA) assemble under the Blacklist Rivalry banner and compete against the best in the world,” said Tier One Entertainment co-founder and CEO Tryke Gutierrez. This inaugural Blacklist International DOTA 2 squad also joins the prestigious roster of Predator Gaming ambassadors.
“We at Predator are honored to work hand-in-hand with Tier One Entertainment and Blacklist International in helping put the Philippines on the world stage. We have an extremely talented all-Filipino roster playing for Blacklist International and these players happen to be former champions of the Asia Pacific Predator League (APAC PL). We hope this all-star roster can also represent our country in the upcoming APAC PL 2024 which will take place in Manila. We can’t wait to see them break the code and claim another championship in front of a live audience right here in the Philippines. Blacklist International is an organization that Filipinos can stand behind and cheer for together so we’re going to help them succeed any way we can and we are committed to making that happen,” said Acer Philippines General Manager Sue Ong-Lim.
The team’s ultimate goal will definitely be representing the Philippines in The International, the most prestigious DOTA 2 tournament in the world, in 2023. Blacklist International officially acquired the slot of Singaporean organization RSG in Division 1 of the next DPC season which kicks off early next year so gaming, eSports and DOTA 2 fans can catch them in action very soon.
