Cover-Credits:
The chaotic roster shuffle season continues in Southeast Asia (SEA), as Korean organization T1 have decided to disband its Dota 2 roster following a disappointing season. The organization had an amazing 2021/2022 Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) season, achieving a top eight finish at The International 2021 (TI10) as well as several top 3 finishes at multiple tournaments in 2021.
However, 2022 proved to be a tough season for T1 as they were outperformed by other teams such as Fnatic, BOOM Esports and Talon to name a few.
T1 fully disbands its Dota 2 roster
“Today, we decided to disband our #DOTA2 roster. We thank ‘Topson’, ‘ana’, ‘Kuku’, ‘Xepher’ and ‘Whitemon’ for their time with us. We wish them the best of luck for the future.” said the organization in its Twitter announcement.
T1’s roster during the Last Chance Qualifiers:
Anathan "ana" Pham
Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen (stand-in)
Carlo "Kuku" Palad
Kenny "Xepher" Deo
Matthew "Whitemon" Filemon
Following the announcement of the disbandment, all of the players are now free agents during the roster shuffle period.
T1 had a decent debut season in 2019, however its second year in the Dota 2 competitive saw the organization signing 4 out of 5 former Geek Fam players in Karl “Karl” Baldovino, Carlo "Kuku" Palad, Kenny "Xepher" Deo and Matthew "Whitemon" Filemon. While Souliya "JaCkky" Khoomphetsavong was initially signed to the roster, he was replaced by former Fnatic carry Nuengnara "23savage" Teeramahanon.
During the 2020/2021 DPC season, the organization saw its most successful year in the scene as the team won the ESL One Summer 2021 on top of achieving multiple top four finishes at other events. Additionally, the organization saw its highest finish at its first ever TI (The International) as the team achieved a top eight finish at TI10.
Despite the team performing well at the first half of the 2021/2022 DPC season by achieving back to back top three finishes in the regional league as well as qualifying for the Stockholm Major, the team saw a massive downfall in its performance after the Major. While Kim "Gabbi" Santos was brought in to replace the departing 23savage during the second tour, the team’s performance during the third tour of the regional season was a disaster as the team placed 5th in the regional league.
T1 made a final attempt to qualify for The International 2022 (TI11) from the regional qualifier by replacing the duo of Gabbi and Karl with two-time TI winner duo of Anathan "ana" Pham and Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen. However, T1 were only able to qualify for the Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ) following its loss to Polaris Esports in the regional qualifier. While T1 started off the LCQ well, its loss to Vici Gaming in the lower bracket meant that T1’s 2022 season had come to an end.
Following the announcement, the organization has decided to disband its Dota 2 roster completely instead of rebuilding for the upcoming season. Additionally according to our sources, T1’s slot in the DPC is reportedly being picked up by Singaporean esports organization Bleed eSports, who have announced that they have hired Sean “Hades” Goh as the team’s official scout as it looks to build a new Dota 2 roster.
