//Spotlight
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When Stars Align: Blacklist International Dota is Stacked

Introducing Blacklist International’s Dota 2 Team: The Impetus of SEA Dota Renaissance

It has been a month since The International 2022 ended and Western Europe’s Tundra Esports was crowned as the undisputed TI 2022 champions. The finals against Team Secret was a stomp–3-0. At the end of it, Tundra never even lost a single series in the main event. 

Such lack of parity has sent the Dota world into a mad scramble. Roster changes and updates are normal, and actually have been the trend, after TI–but the past weeks saw major upheavals in the Dota 2 scene. For instance, even TI5 champions Evil Geniuses from the North American region, a long-time fixture in the world of Esports, got straight-up dissolved.

Players are seeking new teams and opportunities–greener pastures, new environments, and better chances of winning the most coveted prize in all of Dota–the Aegis of Champions. 

The SEA region is not immune to these things. Some teams disbanded, while others overhauled their rosters. Some players retired; some became “free agents”. However, Dota fans are most excited about the formation of new teams.

In the midst of this perfect chaos, we find our heroes–Blacklist Dota. 

Summon Familiars

Blacklist Dota prides itself as a team entirely composed of Filipino homegrown talent. The high-caliber roster is composed of individuals who are nothing short of legends–seasoned, battle-hardened, world-class Dota athletes.

Without further ado, here they are:

Carl “Kuku” Palad

Blacklist Dota: Carlo Palad
Carlo “Kuku” Palad

Timothy “Tims” Randrup

Blacklist Dota: Timothy Randrup
Timothy “Tims” Randrup

Marc Polo “Raven” Fausto

Blacklist Dota: Marco Polo Fausto
Marc Polo “Raven” Fausto

Nico “eyyou” Barcelon

Blacklist Dota: Nico Barcelon
Nico “eyyou” Barcelon

Karl “Karl” Baldovino

Karl Baldovino
Karl “Karl” Baldovino

Remember the biggest, most miraculous upset in Dota History? Kuku, Raven, and Eyyou were part of that team. Watch this for the match-up’s most intense ending, courtesy of our very own Lon and Dunoo, where the boys sealed the deal against the then-heavy favorite OG squad:

Just last season, Kuku helmed a team with TI greats Ana and Topson. Watch this to witness Kuku own the game with his signature offlane Nature’s Prophet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZq0V11gs18&feature=youtu.be

A couple of weeks ago, Tims played on the team that shut down and eliminated the TI defending champs, Team Spirit. His insane, well-timed Marci plays surely contributed to the huge upset.

Eyyou? Arguably, he’s the best Chen in SEA, some say even in the world. Look at him make a fool of Nigma gankers when they rotated to his jungle.

What about Karl? Karl’s MMR is 10k, and he owns the mid lane. Also, look at him diving towers and bullying Shadow Fiend in the mid lane. That Shadow Fiend was none other than the genius Miracle himself.

The Path to Redemption

The bottom line is: these athletes were already great, but now they are better. The experience they have gained over the years makes them a force to be reckoned with come DPC time. 

These guys have been on different journeys. They have tried with other organizations and other teammates, but they have yet to win it all. Even if they are already great in their own right, they still need to, and most certainly want to hoist that Aegis. On paper, these guys are definitely a super team–on their path to redemption.

“This is a dream come true,” Tier One Entertainment founder Tryke Gutierrez shared. “My esports career started in DOTA and my dream has always been to have a team that can compete with the best of the best and I truly believe that this team is more than ready to go head-to-head with the top-tier teams in the world.”

Blacklist Dota is a much-needed shot in the arm for SEA Dota. No one from SEA has ever won the most coveted TI championship. Will this team be the end of the curse?