Believe it or not, in the competitive world of North American Dota 2, players from Southeast Asia, particularly Filipinos, are highly regarded for their unique culture and skill. And the famed veteran Artour “Arteezy” Babaev has clearly observed how these players bring their influence to his team, Shopify Rebellion, during top-tier competitions.
Before his stint with Shopify Rebellion, Arteezy made waves as a core member of the Evil Geniuses squad, teaming up with Abed “Abed” Yusof, whose midlane prowess left a lasting impression on him. Their partnership strengthened EG’s dominance in the North American scene and brought the team as one of the highlights in The International circuit.
When EG decided to bow out of the NA competitive arena in November 2022, Arteezy and Abed transitioned to Shopify Rebellion, quickly establishing themselves as dark horse contenders capable of toppling giants on the global stage. However, Abed’s departure in November 2023 saw him bid farewell to pursue opportunities back home in the Philippines.
In Abed’s absence, SR swiftly sought a replacement and found one in the form of Erin “Yopaj” Ferrer, a talented Filipino player formerly with Boom Esports. Despite Yopaj’s credentials in the Southeast Asian scene, the switch didn’t generate the same hype as Abed’s tenure.
So far, Yopaj’s addition to the team hasn’t exactly ignited a surge in their performance, leaving fans scratching their heads about whether he’s the right fit for SR. Arteezy himself seems to acknowledge the contrast, noting how Yopaj is more outspoken compared to Abed’s chill vibe. Nevertheless, he sees the Filipino as an important member of the team.
“(Abed and Yopaj) are very different players. They have different strengths. I mean, their behavior and demeanor are very similar. They’re really good teammates, generally speaking. But I think Yopaj is just louder. He talks more. He’s more vocal about what he needs. Abed is less vocal. Not take anything away from him or anybody, but he’s just more on the quiet side.” Arteezy said in Rosesa’s exclusive channel.
As SR prepares for the highly anticipated Elite League in Europe scheduled for the end of March, the team is diligently honing their strategies and refining Yopaj’s gameplay to unleash his magic. In the dynamic world of Dota competitive, where teamwork is paramount, Yopaj has been known for single-handedly turning the tide of challenging matches in his team’s favor.
