Cover-Credits:
Gaimin Gladiators is putting together one of the most dominant runs in competitive Dota 2 history as it approaches a third consecutive Major title. In the second round of the upper bracket playoffs of the Bali Major 2023, the team overcame a momentum-driven Quest Esports to advance to the upper bracket finals, where it will now meet Tundra Esports. It was a series in which both teams relied on their own ideas, but Gaimin successfully countered Quest's strategies of picking uncommon heroes, even though it had a tougher time in the second game. As a result of falling to the lower bracket, Quest has suffered a significant setback in its attempt to qualify directly for The International 12 (TI12).
Gaimin Gladiators vs Quest Esports: Match recap and highlights
Recap
In game 1, Quest went for a draft to counter Gaimin's individual picks, although those heroes were not necessarily in meta. Both sides found early kills, and although the game appeared evenly poised Gaimin began to steadily edge ahead as Quest's draft lacked enough initiation. It was extremely difficult for Quest to execute in teamfights with the draft it had, and it took a long time to collect the necessary items, but Gaimin had enough networth on all of its heroes by then to win in 39 minutes.
Game 2 saw Quest strike with a quick-paced draft, which is unusual for the squad. With mid Tiny and offlane Timbersaw, the team was proactive and gave TA2000 plenty of opportunity to farm as efficiently as possible. Timely kills on Gaimin's cores, particularly Ace’s Doom and Quinn’s Queen of Pain, slowed their networth growth, and before they could do anything, Quest was threatening its base and scored a win in just 29 minutes
Game 3 was quite similar to the second, but this time Gaimin was punishing Quest's draft, which included offlane Monkey King. After an equal start, things swiftly shifted in favor of Gaimin, as the team possessed massive physical damage and laning push, while Quest, with poor initiation and damage early on, could do nothing but watch its Barracks get destroyed. The squad attempted one final teamfight, but its heroes perished like flies and the team tapped out after only 23 minutes
Highlights
Here are some highlights of the series.
Even though Gaimin has not won all games, it has always made sure to take series victories, especially in playoffs and matchups in front of a live audience. The team will face a known opponent in Tundra in the upper bracket final, and if it plays well, it should not be difficult to win until Tundra also switches on its TI winning mode.
Quest faces an uphill battle now, as it needs to reach the finals for a chance to receive a direct invite. On its path there, the team will be engaged in three series, with the first challenge presented by PSG.LGD in the lower bracket.
