The Aftershock: Team Fanboy’s Manila Masters Review
What a lovely time for Filipino E-sports this couple of years has been. Last year, we had the privilege of hosting two immense DOTA 2 tournaments. In addition, our fellow Filipinos produced arguably, the biggest upset in the sports history when TNC eliminated OG from last year’s the International event. This year, Mineski Events Team along with Smart, PLDT, Bounty Fresh and all other sponsors made it to a point that another massive DOTA 2 event reaches our shores. Alas, the Manila Majors was announced with eight of the best teams in the world competing for a spot in the International 2017 and a handsome sum of cash.
Headlined by teams such as OG, Evil Geniuses, Newbee, Team Secret and NP, the Manila Majors was set to solidify the foothold that e-sports has in our country. Boy oh boy, this event did not disappoint.
From the get go, this event felt like a big deal and it was that and more. Fans clamored for a chance to watch their favorite teams and players duke it out. Things kicked off with four opening matches and two winners’ bracket matches that saw EG and Newbee shine while favorites OG get shot down straight to the losers’ bracket. Then, the whole show was stolen by NP as they survived two elimination matches in exciting fashion but to only fall short against EG in the losers’ bracket finals. The 2015 International winners went on to face Newbee in the grand finals after being beaten by the latter earlier in the tournament. With the crowd backing Sumail, Arteezy, Universe, Zai and Cr1t, EG went on to win the match with a score of 3-1 and be crowned as Grand Champions.
As much as we love to praise the competitors, we also have to applaud the organizers and the sponsors of this event for a job well done. Aside from a few technical hiccups, the event was handled well and my god, the production was on point. I have to give props for the construction of the events stage, that thing was really pretty. The MOA Arena and its employees were great hosts and the security crew was top notch.
Lastly, we have to talk about the memes and boy oh boy they did not disappoint. From EE falling off his chair, to the rage contest that saw Puppey get impersonated by a fellow Filipino Arguably, the best one was when two top players were caught in the act saying Put Tank In a Mall. Zai and Iceiceice we commend you but that does not mean thank you, but never stop being amazing.
All in all this was a truly successful event and we have to thank Mineski for letting us cover the tournament and give me personally a chance to meet my favorite DOTA 2 competitors. We would like to also thank all of the sponsors for helping in organizing such a great event.
