The School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers kept their reign as victors over the Computer Studies (CS) Chameleons in a best-of-five DOTA 2 championships during the Palarong Atenista 2024, 3-1.

The first game kicked off with an intense face-off during its first ten minutes as SEA players Mark Valencia, Ion Villaron, Robin De Leon, Jovan Aguarilles, and Josh Pablo, teamed up with simultaneous ganks and pick-offs against CS Chameleon’s Ysvert Yamota, Mark Clarde, Josh Asidoy, Isaiah Gabucan, Charles Trazo, Marcus Militar, and Karl Hameed.

The first round was neck-and-neck, with the Chameleons battling against the Tigers’ aggression, eventually tying the score 19-19 by midgame; however, after a series of crucial teamfights, the SEA Tigers claimed victory by going straight for the ancient after securing mega creeps.

In the second game, the CS Chameleons seized an early lead, constantly teamfighting and hunting for the radiant’s heroes in their lanes, making the Tigers take a defensive early-game stance. 

Coupled with streaks of successful clashes and consistently outmaneuvering the Tigers’ heroes, the Chameleons took to the enemy high ground and claimed a pair of barracks before the Tigers call GG, ending the game just shy of 25 minutes.

Game three saw the SEA Tigers consecutively destroying the CS Chameleons’ towers, eventually winning the game even after an all-out battle between both teams.

The fourth match began with the SEA Tigers drafting fast tempo heroes with an off-meta Muerta pick, allowing them to dominate the early and middle game as the Chameleons’ heroes and towers fell one after the other, leading to a 3-1 victory.

In an interview with Atenews, the SEA players noted that the CS Chameleons were one of the toughest teams they faced this year in the Palaro, but the Tigers secured their win with the right strategy.

“Gi-outdraft ra gyud namo sila, and chemistry kay since last year pa man mi, plus coach gyud. Plus, gusto sad namo magpasalamat sa other players namo, si Grecian Dangcalan and si Ralph Russel Ruiz, kay although wala sila sa Championships, dako ilahang natabang sa uban nga games,” Pablo shared.

This was also supported by his co-players, as they unanimously also stated the importance of selecting a comfort hero and learning to ban characters from the opposing team in a gameplay.

“So mao to among gibuhat ug nagsabot man sad mi nga Friday [and] Saturday lang mag-practice kay lahi-lahi ug schedule ug ang uban kay busy sa exams ug sa thesis,” Pablo added. 

The DOTA 2 Championship took place at the NCGC HQ Esports Hub on September 22.