Image Courtesy: TNC
After a massive upset in the group stage, the playoffs of ESL One Mumbai is heating up. TNC Predator fell to a reinvigorated Na’Vi team who stepped up after a disappointing Day 1 performance.
Considered as one of the Dark Horses to win the entire event, the Filipino team stumbled in their run through Group A. After a loss to Team Team in the Winner’s match, they were set to face Na’Vi in the Decider Match.
A quick sub-20-minute first game kicked the series off with a bang. As usual, it was Armel Paul "Armel" Tabios that dominated the game and secured an easy Game 1 victory. Na’Vi struck back in the second game with Vladislav "Crystallize" Krystanek’s insane performance on Weaver, coupled with Idan "MagicaL" Vardanian’s Medusa.
Na’Vi finished TNC Predator off after 30 minutes in game three, in spite of a decent performance from Kim "Gabbi" Villafuerte’s Morphling. The Filipino team were unable to gain any semblance of control over the game and were simply unable to stand the might of Magical’s Templar Assassin.
A fantastic showing by @natusvincere as they convincingly beat @TNCPredator 2-1! They'll go into the Upper Bracket alongside Team Team. #ESLOne
— ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) April 17, 2019
https://t.co/RUTJQiyOsP pic.twitter.com/pWudUjLh1N
Finishing in 3rd place in their group, the team is now staring at elimination. TNC Predator will now have to fight through the lower brackets and will face Indian team: Signify in an elimination match.
Analysts at ESL One Mumbai, as well as fans of TNC Predator, have pointed to the Filipino squad’s poor drafting as the biggest cause of their problems. Hopefully, they can improve upon these aspects before their next bout in the NSCI Dome.
