TNC Predator got off to a slow start in the WePlay AniMajor, the second major of the Dota Pro Circuit, after winning just one of its first four group stage games in Kiev, Ukraine on Friday, June 5.

The all-Filipino crew suffered a 0-2 loss to North American giant Evil Geniuses, which is led by Filipino Abed “Abed” Yusop, before it settled for a 1-1 draw against Chinese squad Vici Gaming.

After three straight losses to start the tournament, TNC Predator notched its first win by trouncing Vici Gaming in 30 minutes in the second game of their best-of-two series.

TNC Predator is currently tied with Team Liquid, Beastcoast, and Team Spirit for fifth place with identical 1-3 win-loss cards, while Evil Geniuses, PSG.LSD, Team Nigma, and Vici Gaming share first place with 3-1 records.

In the group stage, eight teams will play each other in best-of-two matches. A point will be awarded for one win. 

The six teams that will compile the most points will advance to the playoffs, where six other squads have already qualified.

Bannered by Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte, Armel “Armel” Tabios, Timothy “Tims” Randrup, Marvin “Boomy” Rushton, and Jun “Bok” Kanehara, TNC Predator can still bounce back in its remaining five matches.

Meanwhile, Execration – another all-Filipino team – failed to reach the group stage of the tournament after bowing out in the wild card stage.

Execration finished fifth among the six wild card teams, with only the top two securing their group stage berths. – Rappler.com