DPC Pro Circuit - Week One Feature

BY PAOLO BARCELON

Metro Manila, Philippines (January 11) - “Okay lang matalo, and then kunin niyo lang yung pwede ninyong makuha sa tournament na ito.” (It’s okay to lose and then get whatever you can get from this tournament).

This is what Blacklist Rivalry team captain Timothy “Tims” Randrup told Beyond The Rivalry about the advice and mentoring his squad got from Tier One Entertainment CEO and co-owner of Blacklist Rivalry, Tryke Gutierrez, after the latter paid a visit to their bootcamp after the M88 Mansion invitational tournament.

Blacklist Rivalry was defeated by Singapore-based esports team Bleed Esports in the said tournament and eventually won the said outing. Tims revealed that Tryke was able to watch the squad play in its first ever competition, saying, “Nagpunta siya dito, nanood siya ng tournament ng M88. Nagbigay siya ng outside perspective. It was good advice.” (He went here to watch the M88 tournament and gave us outside perspectives).

Tims also revealed that part of keeping their squad’s preparations was to ignore the comments on social media about the team’s performance in M88. He told Beyond the Rivalry, “Focus kami sa mga sarili namin, wala kaming pake sa sinasabi ng iba. Baka maapektuhan pa kami kung magbabasa lang kami ng ganun” (“We’re focused on ourselves. We don’t care about what others are saying about us because it might affect the team if we read those types of stuff”)(“We’re focused on ourselves. We don’t care about what others are saying about us because it might affect the team if we read those types of stuff”).

Eventually, Blacklist Rivalry settled their score with Bleed and reverse-swept them, 2-1, in their first Dota Pro Circuit match.

Tims also revealed that the team prefers to stay off Dota 2 whenever they’re on their days off from their bootcamp. He also revealed that they are in constant communication with their family and loved ones online whenever they have the time, and that some who are near the bootcamp go home on their off days.

Tims mentioned “Nagbasketball kami sa labas, papawis. Then kumain lang kami sa labas, kwentuhan. Kumbaga, wag muna masyadong mag-Dota para maka-chill lang nang kaunti” (“We played basketball to sweat it out, then ate out and had a chat with each other. Basically, we didn’t play Dota that much so we can chill for a little bit”).

Tims also revealed that they continuously prepare for their next DPC outings, saying that the team is constantly in practices and scrimmages, especially for a grueling Winter DPC tour which will see them battling opponents such as, Fnatic,  Team SMG, BOOM Esports, Geek Slate, Talon Esports, and Execration.

The Top 3 teams in the  regional league for Southeast Asia will qualify for the Lima Major in Peru, which is scheduled from February 24 to March 5. 

He also told fans not to expect much in their next matches - but promised they’re not sitting on their laurels and constantly preparing for their next matches.

“Thank you sa suporta ninyo sa Blacklist (Rivalry)! Expect us na we will do our best and gagawin namin lahat para makuha yung expectations ng mga tao.” (“Thank you for your support to Blacklist Rivalry! Expect that we will do our best to meet the expectations of people”).