T1 Fends Off SMG’s Aggression to Pick Up Crucial Series Win in SEA DPC

Having almost slipped into defeat in game two, T1 bounced back to win 2-1 in the series against Team SMG in Southeast Asia (SEA) Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) 2021-22 Tour 3: Division 1. In the first game, SMG beat T1 emphatically, and it carried this momentum into the second game where it appeared poised to win. Nevertheless, T1, like it has done numerous times in the past, stalled the game to a point where it could make a comeback and win. In the third game, SMG employed an old-school draft that ended up not working at all, leaving T1 to win the series.

T1 vs Team SMG: Match Recap and Highlights

Recap

Game 1 saw Moon wreak havoc on his midlane Keeper of the Light. Despite being the first pick, the hero was able to win his lane, move across the map efficiently in search of farm, and kills for his team. SMG's squad complimented him quite well and with such an early advantage, a safelane Drow Ranger was able to push the high ground pretty quickly. With T1 being unable to do much, SMG won the opening game convincingly in 34 minutes.

In game 2, SMG put on another great performance in the laning stage. The squad showed no signs of slowing down and continued to mound a large advantage. Gabbi and Karl were able to remain somewhat elusive for T1 and continue to find farm. Despite his team's disadvantage, Gabbi was particularly very adept at hitting creeps. The game reached a stage where SMG's draft efficacy decreased while T1’s own draft began to become stronger. Gabbi was a beast on Terrorblade and combined with T1's top-tier teamfight abilities, the team was able to make a comeback and win the game in 44 minutes.

In game 3, SMG went for a safelane Ember Spirit, a mid Lina, an offlane Razor, and Chen and Dazzle as supports. This draft typified SMG's gameplay which tends to be quite aggresive. However, as it turned out, SMG was unable to exert any pressure on T1. Instead, Karl was unstoppable on Tiny, and T1 had the momentum. SMG's draft was ineffective at playing from behind, and they lost the third game in 28 minutes.

Highlights

Here are some highlights of the series.

After finding itself on the verge of defeat in game two, T1 demonstrated its characteristic patience to emerge victorious. And whenever Karl "Karl" Matthew Baldovino gets it right, as he did in the third game, T1 is able to truly dominate. Having lost to RSG earlier, and having to face BOOM, Fnatic, and Talon yet in the league, this was an important series win for T1.

With two series going 2-1, SMG must be disappointed. The first one came against BOOM and now against T1. As a team, SMG can be one of the best in the league when it plays well, but at other times it tends to look out of sorts when drafting poorly or making costly errors in game play.

SMG will next go up against RSG on 25th June while T1 plays Talon Esports on 30th June.