In a recent tweet, pro Dota team T1 announces players Topias 'Topson' Taavitsainen and Anathan 'ana' Pham as its new roster additions. This news came a few days after the PGL Arlington Major concluded, which sealed the top 12 teams to receive a direct Singapore TI invite.
The South East Asian Dota powerhouse announced 'ana' as a new player coming in to join the team in the coming SEA Qualifiers for The International. Meanwhile, many were surprised as Topson joins in the same team as a stand-in. It was just recently when Topson announced his decision to return to pro-Dota.
CONFIRMED: Ana, Topson Is Playing for T1 in SEA TI Qualifier
Yahoo reports that the Southeast Asian regional qualifier for TI11, which runs from Sept. 3 to 18, will be Ana and Topson's first chance to play for T1 officially. Through the qualifier, the second and third-placed teams will have another opportunity to earn a seat in the tournament through the LCQ. The SEA regional qualifier winner will be guaranteed a place in the Group Stage of TI11.
ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!🤯
— T1 (@T1) August 16, 2022
We'd like to officially welcome the newest addition to our #DOTA2 roster, @TopsonDota(stand-in) & @anadota99.💚💜
Please support us as we prepare for TI11's SEA Qualifier.#T1WIN #T1Fighting #T1DOTA2 pic.twitter.com/2cSsQYnxo3
ALSO READ: ProFiles: Get to Know Retired Dota 2 Player Ana
Dota 2 fans have different opinions regarding this latest news. Many say that T1 has boosted their chances of qualifying for The International and even winning the most prestigious stage in Dota. Some believe this just might be another meme-fueled TI campaign for the fans and the memes, some would say.
It can be noted that ana and Topson are both parts of the OG roster that won back-to-back TIs in TI8 and TI9. Could the duo remake the legendary run with the South East Asian team? Topson and ana will be joining T1's roster consisting of Carlo "Kuku" Palad, Kenny "Xepher" Deo, and Matthew "Whitemon" Filemon.
Before this announcement, ana has played for teams Team Liquid and Royal Never Give Up as a stand in the previous Dota pro circuit tournaments. This season with T1 will be the Australian Dota 2 player's official return to the competitive scene after announcing a formal retirement last year.
Meanwhile, Topson has been recently permitted by OG to explore his options with other teams. Not many fans predicted T1 as the OG midlaner's destination.
T1 Is Eyeing TI Return with Latest Roster Revamp
With their failed campaign in securing a direct invite to The International, T1 is now on a quest to make it through the SEA Qualifiers to grab another chance to qualify for Dota 2's biggest stage.
Things may not be that easy for this star-fueled roster as the SEA region can still be a challenging stage to face. Although going inconsistent in the current season, Neon and TNC can always surprise fans with outstanding gameplay. T1 needs to be on the lookout for Talon Esports, which can be a pretty challenging match-up. Teams Boom Esports and Fnatic have already qualified for The International.
In a report from One Esports, Kim "Gabbi" Santos and Karl "Karl" Baldovino were released by T1 on Aug. 11 following the team's fifth-place result in DPC SEA 2021-2022 Tour 3 Division I. This sudden move by T1 surprised fans as it is very rare for a pro team to shuffle players coming in a regional qualifier.
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