Cover-Credits:
Fnatic continues to edge closer towards being relegated to Division II in the latest iteration of the Southeast Asia Dota Pro Circuit (SEA DPC): Winter Tour following a 5th consecutive loss in the regional league against BOOM Esports. While the team have made roster changes during the off-season, the team has been performing well below expectations following multiple losses during the SEA DPC: Winter Tour.
With only two series left for Fnatic to play in Division I of the SEA DPC:Winter Tour following its loss against BOOM Esports, another loss could mean a guaranteed trip to Division II for Fnatic.
Fnatic vs BOOM Esports: Match recap and highlights
Recap
During the off-season, both teams made multiple roster changes. However, both teams were also unable to secure a win in the SEA DPC so far, with BOOM Esports losing 4 consecutive games while Fnatic lost 5 games.
A win for either team could put them in a favorable position to stay in Division I for the Spring Tour, however it would depend on results in the last week of the SEA DPC: Winter Tour.
Game One
The early game was mostly going into the way of Fnatic, as Armel "Armel" Tabios’s Puck was picking off BOOM’s heroes while Kim "Gabbi" Santos’s Nature’s Prophet was building up his networth advantage and split pushing all over the map.
As the game progressed BOOM Esports were able to slowly come back into the game with John "Natsumi-" Vargas’s Ursa achieving his power spike. However, Fnatic had the better map control as they claimed all of the outlying towers as well as claiming multiple Roshans.
The last 20 minutes of the game can only be described as a slugfest with both teams constantly traded blows. BOOM Esports saw a golden opportunity to end the game by forcing Fnatic into a decisive teamfight in their own base. However, despite Fnatic’s desperate attempt to defend, BOOM Esports claimed the chaotic Game One after 61 minutes.
Game Two
Looking to not roll over following the loss, Fnatic opted for an aggressive draft in Game Two by picking up Djardel "DJ" Mampusti’s signature Clockwerk as well as Keeper of the Light (KOTL) for Armel.
The draft turned out to work quite well for Fnatic in Game Two, as they were able to control the map perfectly while also allowing the likes of Gabbi & Armel to hit their item timings for the mid-game phase.
Despite BOOM Esports’ efforts to defend their base and delay the game, the game ended after 47 minutes with Fnatic evening out the scoreline.
Game Three
With the scoreline now even, both teams were looking to win their first series in the SEA DPC as a win for either team could help them in avoiding relegation. BOOM Esports drafted the duo of Morphling and Kunkka for Natsumi- & Erin "Yopaj" Ferrer while Fnatic opted for an all-rounded draft consisting of Monkey King, Pangolier and Viper.
The early game went in favor of BOOM Esports, despite both teams constantly trading kills and objectives with Natsumi- 's Morphling earning a sizable net worth advantage. However, the mid-game saw Fnatic turning things around.
Despite Fnatic’s net worth advantage, BOOM Esports were the better team as they claimed the victory in Game Three after 55 minutes and earned their first ever series win in the SEA DPC.
Highlights
Here are some of the highlights from the match:
Following the match, Fnatic are now in heavy danger of being relegated into Division II for the upcoming tour. As for BOOM Esports, they will be able to breathe a sigh of relief following the match however it would have to win its last few matches if they wish to avoid relegation.
