TNC Predator drops Dota 2 roster before The International 2021

TNC Predator looks ready to start over in the Dota 2 space after missing out on The International 2021.

The Southeast Asian organization fell just short of qualifying for TI10, losing to Fnatic in the finals of the SEA qualifiers by a 3-2 score. As is often the case in Dota 2, missing The International is being met with a complete roster purge as the organization announced the entire team has been dropped.

“We would like to formally announce that the full roster of TNC Predator will be free agents on September 15, 2021. The organization and its players have discussed in terms of individual growth and have come to an agreement that this would be the best decision moving forward,” TNC Pro Team said in a statement on Facebook.

It's been quite the journey these past three to four years.

On September 15, 2021, TNC Predator will announce the free agency of its full roster. TNC and its players have discussed in terms of individual growth and agreed that this would be the best decision moving forward. pic.twitter.com/aH18lkwlgv

— TNC Predator 🇵🇭 (@TNCPredator) September 13, 2021

Some of the TNC Predator players acknowledged the news on Twitter, thanking the organization. The release of the players marks the end of one of Dota 2’s more stable organizations, with Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte, Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios, and Timothy John “Tims” Randrup having been the core of the team since 2018. Tims in particular has been with TNC for a long time, having joined in 2016.

The end of this roster comes following a tumultuous 2021. The team had a rough start to the Dota Pro Circuit season, finishing in fourth place in the first league cycle and failing to qualify for the ONE Esports Singapore Major. The team rebounded emphatically in the second half of the season by finishing second in the next league cycle and finishing in the top eight at the WePlay AniMajor.

4 YRS of ups & down with the team, its been truly an honor to be part of this org. I've grown as a player & as an individual. Wherever I'll go, I will always use what they taught me. Thank you TNC and my teammates for everything! https://t.co/yXr5zFTV3T

— Armel Tabios (@armeldoto) September 13, 2021

Despite that solid showing, TNC failed to qualify for TI10 through the DPC and was forced into the SEA regional qualifiers. The team reached the finals there, but was one game short of defeating Fnatic for the region’s lone qualifying spot.

TNC Dota 2 future uncertain after missing TI10

It’s unclear what the future holds for either the TNC Pro Team organization or the individual players in Dota 2. TNC remains a name brand in the SEA region but a long list of esports organizations have tapped out on Dota 2 over the last two years, even if they are successful. Though TNC may rebuild a new team and roster, it wouldn’t be a shock for the organization to move on from Dota 2 and look towards other games instead.

As for the former TNC Predator players, it’s unknown whether the roster will remain together and look for a new sponsor or if the team will dissolve entirely. The team was strong enough that it could find success next season under a different organization or as an independent team.