Fnatic drops Jabz, adds ex-TNC eyyou due to iceiceice hiatus

Steven Rondina Published 10/09/2020

Fnatic’s Dota 2 team has had possibly the most successful year in its history, but the global shuffle is forcing some changes.

Support player Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong is officially out of the Fnatic roster. Replacing him is former TNC Predator Nico “eyyou” Barcelon, who is coming off a yearlong hiatus from competitive Dota 2.

Jabz being replaced by eyyou follows the addition of Marc Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto in July at the expense of Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon. The Fnatic roster currently stands as follows:

1. Marc Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto
2. Kam “Moon” Boon Seng
3. Daryl Koh “iceiceice” Pei Xiang
4. Djardel Jicko B. “DJ” Mampusti
5. Nico “eyyou” Barcelon

The move to add eyyou comes after a somewhat shaky performance in ESL One Thailand Online. Though Fnatic finished third at the event, a shock loss in the group stage to the unheralded Motivate.Trust Gaming prompted the team to make some changes.

“Looking back at our ESL Thailand run, we realized that there is a severe lack in commanding without Daryl “iceiceice” Koh who was on break during the tournament…After a thorough deliberation, Jabz and the management both decided that it is the best interest for us to mutually part ways and take this opportunity to work with a player that excels at position 5,” Fnatic said on Facebook.

iceiceice is currently on break from pro Dota 2. Fnatic announced he was stepping away from the game ahead of ESL One Thailand Online and would return with the start of the Dota Pro Circuit. With the Dota Pro Circuit now indefinitely postponed by Valve, this move suggests iceiceice could also be on an indefinite hiatus. Lee “Forev” Sang-don stood in for iceiceice at ESL One Thailand, though it is unclear if this is a long-term solution.

Raven and eyyou changes leave Fnatic future uncertain

The online era of Dota 2 has treated Fnatic very well. While some teams have struggled in these unusual circumstances, others have thrived. After winning Dota Summit 12, Fnatic won four online leagues in a row and has placed in the top three of every competition it has competed in.

Despite that, Fnatic has been making numerous changes to its roster. The new lineup is a strong one and once again reunites 2016 TNC Pro Team players eyyou and Raven. 

The big question now is whether Fnatic will be improved by this latest change. eyyou is a real talent, but chemistry is king in Dota 2. There’s no shortage of teams with strong rosters that haven’t found success in Dota 2. 

Fnatic isn’t lined up to compete in any event at the moment, so fans will have to wait to find out when they’ll get a first look at the new roster.

Steven Rondina

About Steven Rondina

Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.

View full profile

Read Also

Dota 2

Team Yandex stop the magic, defeating LGD in BLAST Slam VII finals Michael Hassall Team Yandex have defeated LGD Gaming in the grand finals of BLAST Slam VII in a dramatic 3-1 series that saw both teams pushed to the limit, but ultimately Yandex come out on top. Concluding the last major tournament before teams head to the Esports World Cup and The International 2026 next month and in August, Yandex were able to counter the momentum of LGD that had brought them into ...

Dota 2

BLAST Slam VII Finals Predictions and Picks – Can LGD make it all the way? Michael Hassall LGD Gaming in the top three of a tournament!? What is this 2021? BLAST Slam VII has been one of the most surprising tournaments of the year, and has capped off the pre-EWC and TI season with some of the most thrilling gameplay we’ve seen in months. And the finals are set to be even more exciting. With just three teams left there’s a lot on the line, from the ...

Dota 2

Easiest Dota 2 Heroes for Beginners – Best Picks to Learn the Game Simon Day We can all agree that Dota 2 is a complex game, but starting with the right heroes can make the learning process much smoother. Choosing one of the best Dota 2 heroes for beginners is key to building your skills and enjoying your matches. That’s why it’s time to explore the heroes that are easy to understand, effective in the game and great for learning the fundamentals. Without going into ...

Dota 2

BLAST Slam VII Playoffs Preview – Visa issues transform the playoff picture Michael Hassall BLAST Slam VII is the last major tournament before teams lock-in and compete at the EWC and The International, and as a result, we’re seeing a tournament with some unique outcomes. With teams seemingly treating this as a last-minute tune-up before the championship clashes of the next two months, a South American team has topped the table and some of the best teams in the world are either without players ...

Dota 2

TI-Champions Tundra Esports exit Dota 2 as roster transfers to 1win Michael Hassall Tundra Esports has revealed it’s leaving Dota 2 after six years and a victory at The International 2022. The UK-based organization has announced its roster will transfer directly to 1win for future events. The announcement, posted on Tundra's socials on June 1, confirms rumors and earlier social posts from 1win which hinted at a new lineup. With the move, however, questions about 1win’s existing EEU roster and attendance at The ...

Dota 2

A full weekend of TI15 tickets will cost you just $280 – If you don’t mind the view Michael Hassall Alongside the team invites for The International 2026, Valve today (May 26) unveiled the pricing and details of how to purchase tickets for TI15, and the price is the lowest in years. For years we’ve seen the price of The International Prize, with a peak of around $700 as a lowest price for a full weekend for both 2023 in Seattle, and 2024 in Copenhagen. But after a fall in ...

Dota 2

Valve has announced the TI15 invites: Here’s why some team names are very different Michael Hassall It’s around three months until The International 2026, TI15, and Valve has just unveiled the direct invites and qualifier invites to the event, but eagle-eyed fans will notice some strange names in the team lists. Valve unveiled the invites in the small hours of the morning on May 26 (late evening on May 25 for their HQ in Bellevue, Washington), detailing the seven direct invites, regional qualifier invites, and some ...