Gabbi to Stand in for T1 as 23savage Gets Benched

There is finally clarity on Thai carry Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon’s future with T1’s Dota 2 team, as the organization announced on its social media handles that he will be moving to the inactive roster. As a result, Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte, who recently played for Talon Esports, will replace 23savage as T1’s stand-in during the upcoming Southeast Asia (SEA) Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) 2021-22 Regional Finals. In addition, 23savage is being loaned to Motivate.Trust Gaming for the ongoing BTS Pro Series Season 10.

Also Read: 23savage Stands in for Motivate.Trust Gaming in 2-0 Win at BTS Pro Series S10

23savage moved to inactive roster as T1 ropes in Gabbi for SEA Regional Finals

T1 announced roster adjustments on Twitter and asked fans to continue supporting the team in the Regional Finals.

[#T1DOTA2]

Kim ‘@gabbidoto‘ Santos will be joining the DOTA 2 team as the stand-in for the upcoming Regional Finals as Nuengnara ’23savage’ Teeramahanon is moved to the inactive roster.
Please continue to support our team for the upcoming battle!#T1WIN #T1Fighting #igniT1on pic.twitter.com/3DBtpTdZdY

— T1 (@T1) February 8, 2022

T1’s Dota 2 roster that will compete in the SEA DPC Regional Finals:

1. Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte

2. Karl “Karl” Jayme

3. Carlo “Kuku” Palad

4. Kenny “Xepher” Deo

5. Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon

• Park “March” Tae-won (coach)

Having joined T1 in March 2021, 23savage moves away from the active roster after being a key member throughout the DPC 2021. The team had a rough start with him on the roster at the Singapore Major, with Kuku missing, but rebounded to emerge as the most successful team in Southeast Asia in 2021. Among the accomplishments in the DPC 2021 were third place at the WePlay AniMajor, first place at ESL One Summer 2021, and 7th-8th place at The International 10.

In the wake of TI10, T1 retained its entire team and performed decently in Tour 1, although not as well as it had in the DPC 2021, to place third and secure a place at the Regional Finals.

Following Tour 1 of the DPC 2021-22, 23savage’s future with T1 was surrounded by rumors and there were speculations about his replacement. Anathan “ana” Pham and Gabbi were two players whose names were in the spotlight, however, it ended up being the latter.

Gabbi is currently only listed as a stand-in for T1, and it is not clear if he will continue to be a part of the team after the Regional Finals. He last played for Talon Esports in Division 2 of Tour 1, where the team underperformed to finish fifth.

Also Read: Talon Esports Parts Ways With Fly and Gabbi

The Regional Finals begin on 11th Feb and T1 will go up against Fnatic in the first round.

Additionally, 23savage, after being loaned to Motivate.Trust Gaming, will likely be seen in action against Team Orca (formerly Ragdoll) on 9th Feb as part of the BTS Pro Series S10: Phase 1. He also took part in the first game of Motivate.Trust Gaming’s series against Yangon Galacticos on 7th Feb in the event, but did not play the second game.

Having been invited directly to Phase 2 of the BTS Pro Series S10, T1 will also be seen playing in the event from 14th Feb.

Also Read: DPC SEA 2021-22 Regional Finals: Schedule, Results, and Other Details

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