SINGAPORE – Team SMG (Still Moving Under Gunfire) announced today their entry into the Dota 2 esports scene in Southeast Asia with Dota 2 veterans Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung from Malaysia and Michael “Ninjaboogie” Ross Jr from the Philippines. The roster also welcomes Cheng "vtFαded" Jia Hao, Tue "ah fu" Soon Chuan and Muhammad Ammar “neah666” Rasulli.
Dota 2 is a 5v5 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) computer game by Valve Corporation. The Dota 2 esports scene has one of the largest prize pools with their annual world championship, with The International boasting the largest prize pool of all - with over US$34 million in 2019.
“People have always overlooked the SEA (Southeast Asia) Dota 2 scene,” said Chai “Mushi” Yee Fung, squad captain of Team SMG’s Dota 2 squad. “I was part of the first SEA team to have won a Dota 2 Major and we want to become the first SEA team to win The International.”
Valve recently announced Team SMG’s invite to the closed qualifiers of the 2021 Dota 2 Pro Circuit (DPC) Upper Division in the Southeast Asian region, which serves as the qualifying circuit towards The International 2021. CEO of Team SMG, Kenchi Yap will also be assuming the role of head coach for the Dota 2 squad as a former competitive gamer-turned-coach.
“Dota is a game that is pivotal in my decision to pursue esports, it was what got me into gaming seriously.” Said JJ Lin, founder of Team SMG. “Finally having a Dota squad affirms my belief that it is possible to nurture one’s passion to something bigger, as long as one dares to dream and works hard towards it. I welcome the Dota 2 squad on board Team SMG, and I have high hopes for them in the coming year.”
“2020 was a slow year for the Dota 2 esports scene, but we’re looking forward to 2021 and have our sights set on The International 2021 so it’s all hands on deck,” said Orrin Xu, General Manager of Team SMG. “Our CEO Kenchi Yap will be doubling his role and will as coach for the Dota 2 squad.”
The squad will be bootcamping in the upcoming Team SMG Malaysia facility in Kuala Lumpur, which will be unveiled later in 2021.
Team SMG Dota 2
- Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung
- Michael “Ninjaboogie” Ross Jr
- Cheng "vtFαded" Jia Hao
- Tue "ah fu" Soon Chuan
- Muhammad Ammar “neah666” Rasulli