Favorites Rule the BTS Pro Series S12 SEA Group Stage

In the weeks leading up to The International 11 (TI11), the BTS Pro Series Season 12 has played host to top tier Dota 2 action, including teams from Southeast Asia (SEA) and the Americas. The BTS Pro Series Season 12: SEA group stage has recently concluded and based on popular predictions, teams like Fnatic, BOOM Esports, and Team SMG have shown to be the strongest contenders. Only Neon Esports has been eliminated from the event before the playoffs, out of nine competing teams. Here is an overview of what transpired during the BTS Pro Series Season 12: SEA group stage.

Recap of the group stage of the BTS Pro Series S12: SEA

Beginning on 21st Sept, the group stage of the BTS Pro Series S12: SEA saw nine teams battle it out with nearly three Bo2 series for the next 12 days.

Ultimately, Fnatic emerged as the best team, winning four series and drawing four. Despite playing a lot of heroes in preparation for the TI11, the team continued its top form from the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) 2021-22. Its series against archrivals BOOM Esports that ended in a draw was one of the most exciting of all, crossing the 50-minute mark in both games.

BOOM Esports, the second team from SEA to have directly qualified for TI11, also exhibited superior gameplay during the group stage, finishing third. The wins it registered came in a convincing manner, with many games ending just before the 30 minute mark, demonstrating the team's invincibility when it executed its strategies perfectly.

While offlaner Daryl "iceiceice" Koh is absent from the event, Team SMG still managed to finish in second place thanks to a great performance. Yeik "MidOne" Nai Zheng moved to the offlane while RSG's Wong "mks" Sim An filled in as the carry player. When the team entered the event with all guns blazing and won the first two series by wide margins, it became clear it would have good results.

Execration and Hokori had a similar score but due to the tiebreaker rules, it is the former that finishes in fourth place and books a spot in the upper bracket of the playoffs. Hokori, Army Geniuses, Lilgun, and TNC Predator are the four teams that move to the lower bracket of the playoffs.

Despite the standings, all teams, with the exception of Neon Esports, demonstrated a high level of competitiveness throughout the group stage in a patch that is still in its early stages. There have been a total of 110 heroes played in the region throughout the group stage, with Undying leading the way with 33 games.

For heroes chosen in at least five teams, Ancient Apparation proved to be the best choice, with a 100% victory record in five games, and Storm Spirit proved to be the worst pick, with a 100% defeat record in five games.

The lower bracket of the BTS Pro Series S12: SEA playoffs will now begin on 3rd Oct, followed by the upper bracket on 4th Oct. A winner will be crowned from these remaining eight teams on 7th Oct as part of the 12th edition of the BTS Pro Series.