Team Secret falls flat to Empire in debut performance at ESL One Manila

Team Secret’s highly anticipated debut fell flat, as they were absolutely shellacked by Team Empire’s new roster. The star-studded team was wiped out, 2:0, by the CIS team during the ESL One Manila group B opening series. Team Secret has been dropped to the lower brackets to face EHOME in the group B elimination series tomorrow, at 08:00 CEST. Team Empire will continue today in the group B winner match at 14:00 CEST in hopes to advance directly to the playoffs.

Team Secret’s star-studded team got wiped out by Empire’s newcomers’ team, 2:0, in their debut official match.

The shocking twist of events thrusts Team Secret into the lower brackets to compete in the elimination series against EHOME next.

Team Empire had a spectacular showing with incredible execution and cohesive coordination, despite playing with a fully rebuilt roster, only weeks old.

Team Secret seemed to struggle more in finding their synergy, and their communication appeared to be off.

Fans had high expectations that adding two of the most appreciated players in the world – Artour “Arteezy” Babaev and Saahil “UNiVeRsE” Arora – would only strengthen the already formidable Team Secret.

Having spent the last few weeks bootcamping in their new team house in Turkey, the team has yet to shine.

Meanwhile, Team Empire’s new overhaul of a roster was met with skepticism and apprehension. Since the change of roster, the team has taken third place in ProDota Cup EU #5 and is counting on their new found structure to bring them to new heights.

Team Secret roster changes

News of Team Secret’s Manila Major and TI6 roster has shaken the Dota 2 scene. Omar “w33” Aliwi and Rasmus “MiSeRy” Filipsen were replaced by Artour “Arteezy” Babaev and Saahil “UNiVeRsE” Arora, both from Evil Geniuses, with only four days left before the rosters became locked for more than five months. In addition, Secret welcomed Theeban “1437” Siva to the team as coach.

Completely star-studded and stacked with potential, past achievements and talent, this new iteration of the team has expectations to live up to.

Team Secret roster:

Clement “Puppey” Ivanov
Jacky “Eternal Envy” Mao
Johan “pieliedie” Åström
Saahil “UNiVeRsE” Arora
Artour “Arteezy” Babaev

Team Empire roster changes

Team Empire’s new roster is completely revamped with five new players. Only hours after being dissolved in the aftermath of the spring Major reshuffle, the squad was rebuilt.

Having qualified back in February with an entirely different lineup, the Russian team was able to retain their place at ESL One Manila.

Team Empire roster:

Roman “Ramzes” Kushnarev
Roman “Scandal” Sadotenkov
Vasily “AfterLife” Shishkin
Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov
Rinat “KingR” Abdullin