Southeast Asia Moves Forward at Riyadh Masters 2023 Playoffs: Talon Beats Quest Esports

In a thrilling match-up on Day 1 of the Riyadh Masters 2023 Playoffs, Talon Esports, the only Southeast Asian (SEA) representative remaining in the tournament, showcased its abilities as one of the best teams in the world as they secured a hard-fought victory against Quest Esports.

With an impressive Top 4 finish in the group stages, Talon Esports had secured an upper bracket spot, setting the stage for an intense clash against the formidable Quest Esports, who topped its own group. The three-game series had fans on the edge of their seats as Talon clinched the victory in a 58-minute game.

Talon Esports Triumphs in a 3-Game Thriller

The upper bracket round 1 series between Talon Esports and Quest Esports lived up to its hype, stretching to a full three-game showdown. Talon Esports secured an early lead by taking Game 1, while Quest Esports responded with a dominant victory in Game 2, setting the stage for a nail-biting final game.

Game 3 proved to be an evenly matched and intense affair, with both teams refusing to concede an inch to their opponents. However, Talon’s disciplined and strategic approach to the game prevailed, eventually winning the game and the series. Standout players Rafli "Mikoto" Rahman Anucha "Jabz" Jirawong played a crucial role in all three games, particularly with Snapfire and Doom on each player, contributing highly to the team’s overall victory.

With this triumph, the SEA powerhouse moves on to the next round, where they await the winners of the highly anticipated match between Team Liquid and Gaimin Gladiators, the two teams that are considered to be Top 2 globally.

Looking to the future: Quest Esports fight for their lives

Quest Esports emerged from the group stages as one of the tournament's strongest teams, presenting Talon Esports with a formidable challenge. However, the team failed to keep the momentum from the Group Stages in the Playoffs of the tournament. 

The team now faces a challenging encounter in the lower bracket round 1, where they will square off against the Chinese Dota 2 powerhouse, PSG.LGD, who is considered to be the best team in the region. 

The Riyadh Masters 2023 playoffs have kicked off with an intense encounter between Talon Esports and Quest Esports. With Talon Esports securing a thrilling victory, they have proven their ability on the international stage and reignited the hopes of fans from the region.

Fans can look forward to more intense and captivating Dota 2 action as the tournament progresses, with Talon Esports aiming to make a deep run and secure their place among the world's elite Dota 2 teams.