Preview: DOTA At MMU GDC E-Sport 09

By Underminer

Doing this without browsing the team list (there is none to encourage participation), 4 teams come to mind; UCPRO, DNA-SK, Irelax and Fishnet.



Betting against UCPRO and DNA-SK doing well is a no-brainer. Both teams has been carrying Malaysia’s torch in all European Online tournaments since Kingsurf duly retired from it after winning Asia’s first European online tournament (Farm4Fame #3) 2 weeks before SGNDT last year. While results are mixed, both teams managed to get in games against top players from Europe and America week in week out and come with it the vast experience at the top level.

The sacrifices made playing under 300 ping lag at late nights were evident from their dominant performances at Penang (DNA-SK) and Melaka (UCPRO) 2 weeks ago where both teams won their respective tournaments in convincing fashion beating the best the locals has to offer without breaking a sweat.

Irelax features the fan favourite, Flizardo and friends. With friend Achilles, they managed to clinch 2^nd place at the Melaka MMU tournament 2 weeks losing the final to UCPRO. Rumours has it, his friend list this time include Sakura, ESWC 2008 Silver Medal winner and Iceman, SMM KL 2008 winner. The inclusion of big names might mask the fact that it is still a scratch team which lack practice. However, to not reach at least the semi finals will certainly be a big disappointment for them.

Fishnet has been undergoing a few roster changes lately but the core of the team remains intact with the team generally maintains their participation at tournaments around the Klang Valley area after SGNDT. With the Freddy brothers in it producing a dazzling area of skills, it will be my best bet to fill in the last of my top 4 pick for this tournament.

All biasness aside, it is really hard to predict the winner out of 2 teams: DNA-SK and UCPRO. Both teams were formed at the aftermath of the “SMM Disaster” in which Kingsurf barely protected the country’s pride by clinching 4^th place and they have 3 Singaporeans in it! Teams that are lucky (or unlucky) enough to face them will certainly witness a dazzling display of 5v5 Dota of a standard not many teams out there (even internationally) would be able to withstand.

Based on available information, my predictions for the top 3 are:

1. DNA-SK
2. UCPRO
3. Irelax

We wish all the teams all the best and may the spirit be with you!