Cover-Credits:
The Dota 2 competitive scene is no stranger to surprises and unexpected outcomes. As the Bali Major 2023 draws near, renowned Dota 2 streamer Janne "Gorgc" Stefanovski finds himself confused and questioning the presence of two unfamiliar names on the list of qualified teams. Blacklist International and Bleed Esports have managed to secure their spots for the Major with a score of 5 series wins and 2 losses while Talon Esports narrowly missed out with a score of 4-3. Talon Esports is considered to be the most well-known team in Southeast Asia, which makes it even more disappointing that the team will not be attending the Bali Major 2023. While Bleed Esports and Blacklist International are two rising names in SEA, the players on both teams are veterans in the professional Dota 2 landscape, with players such as Daryl "iceiceice" Koh, Djardel "DJ" Mampusti, Kim "DuBu" Doo-young, Marc "Raven" Fausto, and others.
Gorgc fails to recognize Blacklist International and Bleed Esports
In this most recent livestream, Gorgc was viewing the teams that have qualified for the Bali Major 2023. Out of the list, the streamer seems to struggle in recognizing two teams from Southeast Asia, Bleed Esports and Blacklist International. While he seems to recognize Bleed Esports as the team with iceiceice, he still does not recognize Blacklist International.
“Bleed… Oh Bleed made it? Who’s Blacklist? Who are these... Azure Ray? Nouns? The powerhouse of NA. Of course, they made it over TSM. Who is on Bleed? Isn't that iceiceice team? I thought they were Div II. Liquipedia… let's see. Oh, it is iceiceice team, and Dubu, what the f*ck. These guys came up. They were not Div II, maybe I missed it. Blacklist… let's see, whos on Blacklist? Oh, it's the SEA team, I mean Filipino, right? It's the Philippines, I think so.
Blacklist International burst onto the Dota 2 scene in late 2022, quickly catching the attention of fans and analysts alike. Despite being a relatively new organization, they boast a roster comprised of some seasoned veterans from the SEA region. Led by their captain, Timothy "TIMS" Randrup, the team comprises notable players such as Raven, Karl "Karl" Baldovino, Damien "kpii" Chok, and Carlo "Kuku" Palad. Together, they have demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the DPC, securing a commendable 2nd place finish and securing their slot in the highly anticipated Bali Major 2023.
Bali Major 2023: A Surprising Lack of Indonesian Representation
As the Bali Major 2023 approaches, one intriguing aspect stands out among the qualified teams. Despite the tournament being held in Indonesia, it comes as a surprise that the lineup does not feature any Indonesian players. Teams like Talon Esports and BOOM failed to qualify, leaving many local fans disappointed. While the absence of Indonesian representation may raise eyebrows, it opens the door for an international clash of talent, further enhancing the global appeal and diversity of the tournament.
In the upcoming Bali Major, all eyes will be on Blacklist International and Bleed Esports as they aim to make their mark on the international stage. Meanwhile, the absence of certain Indonesian teams and players only brings a sense of disappointment, as it is the first Dota 2 Major in the country. As Gorgc ponders over the unfamiliar faces gracing the Bali Major 2023, one thing is certain – this tournament promises thrilling surprises and fierce competition that will leave a lasting impact on the Dota 2 landscape.
