While the boys were in town for MPGL SEA, PC.com snags a quick interview with gaming powerhouse Team Fnatic.Dota 2.
Having finished 4th at the recent The International 2016 (TI6) with winnings amounting to RM5.93 million (US$1.45M), Team Fnatic.Dota 2 is geared to set a new victorious season with their new team members.
Joining the team along with Yee “Mushi” Fung Chai, and Chong “Ohaiyo” Xin Khoo are players previously from TNC: Nicco “Eyyou” Barcelon, Jimmy “DeMon” Ho and Marc Polo “Raven” Luis Fausto. PC.com catches up the five to talk about their new dynamics.
PC.com: Given the infancy of Fnatic’s new roster with only a month or two since it started, how long do you think you would need to adjust to each other in terms of communication and playstyle to find the right fit?
Mushi: I think it will take approximately two months. We all speak English in general, but it will take a while to get used to our accents, habits and whatnot. As for playstyle, it is very hard to judge but I am aiming for two months as well.
PC.com: Will we be seeing you (Mushi) switching roles with Raven like how it was with MidOne previously or will you be focusing on the mid role only?
Mushi: Raven is a very good carry and I prefer to play the mid role. Maybe we will change roles sometimes when certain heroes will come up but in most cases, I will most likely be playing the mid role. I don’t think I can play micro heroes as well as Raven.
PC.com: DeMon, was it difficult for you to transition from playing in the USA to SEA, and how has the move helped you grow as a better player overall?
DeMon: Of course it is hard, to leave my family and friends to stay indefinitely at a foreign land. However, I am quite an adventurous guy and I like to explore all the options I get in life. It has been quite a roller coaster of a year for me. I went from the verge of retiring to joining a Filipino team and finished 8th place at TI6. And now I am in Malaysia playing for Fnatic. I have a lot of hopes for this team.
PC.com: What made you guys decide to switch from TNC to Fnatic?
Raven: At first, I was quite reluctant to go because I think that it will be really hard to live overseas on my own but my former teammates, Eyyou and Demon convinced me and said they will look after me and this is a very big opportunity.
Eyyou: Actually I had plans to leave TNC after TI6 and have expressed my desire to depart to TNC’s management. Luckily for me, Fnatic was interested in me and asked me to join their team. I was more than happy to join. Also, Mushi is my idol.
PC.com: With 3 out of the 4 SEA teams that attended TI6 actually getting a top 8 placing, do you see SEA Dota actually becoming a force to be reckoned with in the near future?
Mushi: SEA has always been overshadowed by the western and Chinese teams but after the teams’ showing in TI6, I am quite certain that SEA will be one of the stronger regions in the world. It will take a bit more time but we will get there.
Ohaiyo: Yeah I guess so. There are a lot of good SEA teams this season. It’s good for us. It means more training partners.
Eyyou: Yes, I think so. SEA players are getting a lot better than before. Teams from other regions are also starting to look for players in the SEA region.
Raven: I think that SEA Dota is getting stronger and stronger every year. I think there will be a team from SEA that will emerge champion this year.
PC.com: What are your goals for the rest of 2016, as well as the upcoming year?
Ohaiyo: Well our goal will always be the same. For every tournament we join, we want to be in the top four, after we are ready and more gelled up obviously.
Eyyou: I want to achieve something more than what I achieved last season.
Raven: I really want to win a championship so badly. I will work really hard for that.
PC.com: Who do you think is your biggest rival in SEA right now?
Ohaiyo: I’m not really sure but I think it is still MVP Phoenix for me. It is because they are the only team that can maintain their performance and playstyle so well.
Eyyou: MVP no doubt.
Raven: I think it’s MVP. They play a really different style of Dota.
