T1 Pull Off a Crucial Win in the SEA DPC By Defeating TNC Predator

T1 has taken down the top dogs of the SEA 2021 DPC Season 2: Upper Division - TNC Predator to hand them their first loss in the tournament. This is a momentous win for T1 considering they had been struggling in the league after a series of rough defeats against BOOM Esports and Omega Esports. TNC Predator had wobbly drafts in all three matches of the series. While they got away in the first game as they showcased excellent execution, the drafts backfired in the second and the third game as T1 reverse swept 2-1. Kuku and his teammates now have two wins in four series while TNC Predator, having lost their first series, now have a 3-1 W-L record.

RELATED:  Kuku Talks About 23Savage's Addition and T1's Situation at the Singapore Major

TNC Predator vs T1: Match Recap, Highlights and Interview

Recap

Game 1 was an outright stomp by TNC Predator as they ran over the side of T1 right from the laning phase. T1 had no answers to their enemies’ aggression as they went on to lose the game in 35 minutes with an unfavorable scoreline of 26-9.

Game 2 was even after the laning phase but Kuku helped T1 take the lead with an Aegis steal and a subsequent Ultra Kill at the 15-minute mark. T1 then never looked back and kept ramping up the lead to secure the win in 40 minutes.

Game 3 witnessed an out of meta safe lane pick in the form of Outworld Destroyer. TNC did not apply as much pressure as they should have considering 23savage was freely farming on Medusa. With no aggressive moves coming in by the opponents, T1 cruised to victory, winning the game in 44 minutes. 

Highlights

Here are some highlights of the series.

After getting massively outplayed in the first game, T1 seemed to have quickly recollected them as they drafted stable hero combos and played the next two games in the desired way. They were also aided by quite unconventional drafts from TNC. Kuku and his teammates have bagged up a crucial win and stay in contention of finishing in the top three.

TNC Predator, who had come into the series as the favorites, overwhelmed themselves with some risky drafts. They are still going strong in the tournament and stick to their top spot in the points table. 

While TNC Predator plays BOOM Esports on May 5, 2021, T1 will be competing against Execration on May 8, 2021. 

Interview: 23savage talks about T1’s team atmosphere

T1’s safe lane carry, Nuengnara "23savage" Teeramahanon, talked about the team atmosphere in the post-match winners’ interview.

“I think so (on players being able to jell with each other). It has been rough for the first few months because we lost the Major really bad and our mentality was not in the right position. But now, I think we are getting in the right shape. We talk more, communicate more, yeah.”

23savage also mentioned that he had been thinking more about DPC and winning as compared to focusing on his performances in the previous series. This had now changed as he had put his focus back on delivering the right performances, 23savage stated.