In 2022, Dota 2's biggest tournament, The International 11 (TI11), was held in Southeast Asia for the first time. It took place in Singapore from October 15 to 30, featuring a massive prize pool of USD 18.9 million.
The International 11 crowned Europe's Tundra Esports as champions, earning USD 8,518,822 (around PHP 474 million). Meanwhile, teams with Filipino players, Evil Geniuses (EG), Boom Esports, and Fnatic, exited the competition, placing 9th-12th, 9th-12th, and 13th-16th, respectively, taking home USD 378,612 (around PHP 21 million), USD 378,612 (around PHP 21 million), and USD 283,931 (around PHP 15 million).
These are enormous prizes. In terms of prize pools, Dota 2 absolutely dominates the esports industry. So, without further ado, listed in ascending order below are the top 5 highest-earning Filipino Dota 2 players in 2022, who are also the richest Pinoy Dota 2 players. Please note that these earnings estimates are not necessarily accurate.
#5. Abed – PHP 42.2M
- Name: Abed Azel Yusop
- Age: 22 (in 2022)
- Team: Shopify Rebellion
- Role: Solo Middle
- Approximate Total Earnings: USD 758,244 (roughly PHP 42.2 million)
Abed Azel Yusop started out playing Dota 2 in 2014, and his signature heroes, Meepo and Invoker, quickly gained prominence on the Southeast Asian MMR leaderboards. He joined MSI-EvoGT for the first time in 2015, competing in MPGL Season 7. In The International 2022, he played for Evil Geniuses (EG), where they placed 9th - 12th. Currently, he plays as Position 2 for the North American team Shopify Rebellion.
During his stay in EG, he earned his largest prize money of USD 160,080 from winning the 9th-12th place finish, with a whole consolation prize of USD 800,400, in The International 2021 (TI10) in October 2021. Throughout 50 tournaments, Abed amassed an overall earning of roughly 758,244 US dollars or around 42.2 million Pesos.
In May 2020, Abed became the first Dota 2 player to reach the 11k MMR bracket. He is well-known for using Meepo, Templar Assassin, Invoker, Storm Spirit, and Puck.
#4. Raven – PHP 48.3M
- Name: Marc Polo Luis Fausto
- Age: 24 (in 2022)
- Team: Blacklist International
- Role: Carry
- Approximate Total Earnings: USD 868,159 (roughly PHP 48.3 million)
Raven is presently a Position 1 player for the team Blacklist International. Marc Polo "Raven" Luis Fausto was previously a member of Fnatic, the defunct Geek Fam (a Southeast Asian team with Malaysian roots), and the TNC Pro Team (a Philippine team). At The Kiev Major 2017 tournament, while playing for TNC Pro Team as Spectre in their group stage match against Thunderbirds, Raven recorded a career-high 33 kills. His aggressive playstyle is essential to the team's success, and his extensive hero pool makes it challenging for opponents to target him during the drafting phase.
During his stay in Fnatic, he earned his largest prize money of USD 160,080 from winning the 9th-12th place finish (with a total consolation prize of USD 800,400) in The International 2021 (TI10) in October 2021. Throughout 48 tournaments, Raven accumulated an overall earning of 868,159 US Dollars or around 48.3 million Pesos.
In January 2021, Raven reached the 11k Solo MMR bracket. His use of the following heroes is well-known: Juggernaut, Gyrocopter, Troll Warlord, Terrorblade, Spectre, Drow Ranger, Sven, Lone Druid, and Slark.
#3. Tims – PHP 53.3M
- Name: Timothy John Randrup
- Age: 25 (in 2022)
- Team: Blacklist International
- Role: Support
- Approximate Total Earnings: USD 957,432 (roughly PHP 53.3 million)
Tims is currently a support role player and captain for Blacklist International. In The International 2022, Timothy John "Tims" Randrup played for the Southeast Asian team BOOM Esports, where they placed 9th - 12th. From 2016 to 2021, he has been a longtime TNC Predator member. He has also previously played for other esports organizations based in the Philippines, including Rave and Execration. Tims owns two TNC Internet Cafe branches in the Philippines, including TNC Sindalan CSFP and TNC HAU Angeles City (Pampanga).
During his stay in TNC, Tims earned his largest prize money of USD 160,000 from winning the WESG 2016 in January 2017, with a total cash prize of USD 800,000 for 1st place. Throughout 63 tournaments, Tim's overall earnings are 957,432 US Dollars or around 53.3 million Pesos.
Tims achieved the 10k Solo MMR bracket in August 2020. He is well known for utilizing the following heroes: Earth Spirit, Ogre Magi, Earth Shaker, Nyx Assasin, Mirana, Slardar, Vengeful Spirit, and Io.
#2. Kuku – PHP 55.9M
- Name: Carlo Palad
- Age: 26 (in 2022)
- Team: Blacklist International
- Role: Offlaner
- Approximate Total Earnings: USD 1,004,861 (roughly PHP 55.9 million)
Kuku is currently a Position 3 player for Blacklist International, a Philippine team. Before joining Blacklist, he played for the South Korean team T1 from January 2021 to October 2022. He also served as a coach of the Philippine squad Omega Esports from November 2020 to January 2021. His other former teams are Geek Fam, TNC Predator, and Mineski. Kuku's inventive itemization and strategic movements across the map allow him to surprise his opponents. With Queen of Pain, Tinker, and Harbinger in his arsenal of signature heroes, his mastery of a large hero pool make it challenging to draft against him.
During his stay in T1, he earned his largest prize money of USD 200,100 from winning the 7th-8th place finish, with a total consolation cash prize of USD 1,000,500, in The International 2021 (TI10) in October 2021. Throughout 60 tournaments, Kuku's overall earnings are 1,004,861 US Dollars or around 55.9 million Pesos.
Kuku achieved the 10k Solo MMR bracket in December 2020. With his mastery of a huge hero pool, he is popularly known for using the following heroes: Batrider, Queen of Pain, Enigma, Puck, Huskar, Phantom Lancer, Windranger, Beastmaster, Harbinger, Timbersaw, Tinker, Troll Warlord, Juggernaut, and Centaur Warrunner.
#1. DJ – PHP 59.6M
- Name: Djardel Jicko Mampusti
- Age: 28 (in 2022)
- Team: Fnatic
- Role(s): Support, Captain
- Approximate Total Earnings: USD 1,071,505 (roughly PHP 59.6 million)
DJ currently plays for Fnatic (a European Team with mostly Filipino members) with the Position 4 role. He was previously known as Chrissy and is a former member of Philippine-based esports organizations, including Execration, Rave, and MSI-EvoGT. His outstanding support play during his stay in Rave in 2014 made him popular. Together with Fnatic in 2016, his support play was pivotal in finishing fourth at TI6.
He earned his largest prize money of USD 290,786 from winning the 4th spot with a total consolation prize of USD 1,453,932 in The International 2016 in August 2016. Throughout 83 tournaments, DJ's overall earnings are 1,071,505 US Dollars or around 59.6 million Pesos.
DJ wisely invested his Dota 2 tournament winnings. He used his 2015 DAC (Dota 2 Asia Championships) prize money in a Philippine internet cafe chain called TheNet.Com, where the TNC Pro Team is based.
The last recorded Solo MMR for DJ Mapusti falls within the 8k MMR range. He is notorious for using Enigma, Ogre Magi, Ember Spirit, Doom, Vengeful Spirit, Jakiro, Disruptor, Enchantress, Rubick, and Earth Spirit.
In comparison to the top 5 richest Pinoy DOTA 2 players in 2021, the 2022 list has some adjustments. DJ replaced Kuku at the top. The rest have retained their rankings.
What are your thoughts about this list of the richest Pinoy Dota players? You can leave your comment below.
Credits: esportsearnings.com, liquipedia.net
Image sources: Abed's photo via Valve, Raven's photo via WePlay, Tims's photo via PGL Esports, DJ's photo via DreamHack, Kuku's photo via WePlay
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