LAST Jan. 10, Acer Predator Gaming launched the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 (APAC), which was held in the SM Mall of Asia Arena. VALORANT and Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) 2, teams all around the Asia Pacific Region headed straight to the battlegrounds to assert their dominance for the throne and win the highly anticipated Predator Shield with a total prize pool of $200,000.  

On the same day, the game commenced with DOTA 2. 10 teams were divided into Groups A and B, and the top two teams shall continue to the playoffs. Representing the Philippines: Blacklist, Execration, and ZOL Esports were all placed in Group A. Blacklist Rivalry (BLCK) concluded day one with a remarkable performance leaving the arena with a perfect record of four victories with no defeats. BLCK secures their spot in the playoffs, with Execration having three wins and one loss.  

On Jan. 11, the second day of the group stage started with the game VALORANT. 16 teams were divided into groups A, B, C, and D, where only the winning team advanced to the playoffs. The Philippines' teams were separated with Oasis Gaming in Group A, ZOL Esports in Group C, and Team Secret in Group D. 

After a long and hard-fought battle of tactical aim and skills, Team Flash of Vietnam, Team Secret of the Philippines, FAV Gaming of Japan, and BOOM Esports of Indonesia brutally outclassed their enemies. The three from them display a flawless record of three wins with no defeats.

A Step Towards Victory 

The semi-finals began on the third day, Jan. 13, where a best-of-one alternative match was observed. FAV Gaming emerged as the victorious team for the first match against Indonesia’s BOOM Esports, securing their spot in the Grand Finals. In the second match, Execration ended it in 24 minutes against Aster. Aries. The match MVP was given to Mark Urbina (Bob), playing Ember Spirit. The third match ended with Jim Albert Timbreza's (BORKUM) triple kill, finishing the match in a 13 - 4 score win. The final game ended in the Philippines’ favor despite Mongolia’s IHC Esports having their comfort heroes ending it in a 41-8 lead. Abed Azel L. Yusop (Abed) is standing on top with his Ember Spirit pick, earning the MVP title.

Facing off the Grand Finals for DOTA 2 are Blacklist Rivalry and Execration, which secures the Championship for the Philippines. For VALORANT would be Team Secret and FAV Gaming. 

Grand Finals: Last Man Standing 

The final day, the grand finals, happened on Jan. 14. A best-of-three game setup was done for both VALORANT and DOTA 2 finalists, with DOTA 2 being the starter game. 

In the first match, Execration and Blacklist Rivalry clashed and ended in favor of Blacklist with a score of 36-16. Timothy John Randrup (TIMS) led the team to victory, earning him the MVP title. Despite being presented with new picks, BLCK still managed to defeat Execration in the second game, with Kim Villafuerte Santos (Gabbi) being the MVP. 

In the second game, Team Secret ended the match with a score of 13-8, with Adrian Reyes's (invy) utility play was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). For the second match, Team Secret played a one-sided game. Ending the game with a score of 13-3, with Noel De Guia (NDG) being the MVP.

The Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 concluded with the Philippines being champion for VALORANT and DOTA 2. Team Secret and Blacklist Rivalry, being undefeated throughout the whole event, go home with pride and honor for the country.