Kukuys Claims Victory in Thrilling Predator League Grand Final
The Predator League 2026 Philippine Finals for Dota 2 concluded with an electrifying victory for the underdog team Kukuys. Held as a LAN event at the packed SM North EDSA Annex on November 17, 2025, the tournament brought together the nation's top teams who had earned their spots through qualifiers last September.
A Clash of Titans: The Grand Final Showdown
The Grand Finals featured a dramatic best-of-five series between the defending champions, Execration, and the ambitious new squad, Kukuys. Execration, fielding veterans like Justine ‘Tino’ Grimaldo and Bryle ‘cml’ Alvizo, started strong. They secured the first two games, with Mark ‘Bob’ Urbina's Slardar delivering a dominant 12-0-16 performance in Game 1 and their economic strategy sealing Game 2.
Facing a potential sweep, Kukuys mounted a stunning comeback. Substitute player Charles ‘lewis’ Santos and star support Djardel ‘DJ’ Mampusti were instrumental in turning the tide. Captain Carlo ‘Kuku’ Palad then showcased his legendary drafting skills with two unorthodox carry picks, Batrider and Bristleback, which completely blindsided Execration. Kukuys executed a flawless reverse sweep, winning three consecutive games to claim the championship with a final score of 3-2 and lift the Predator Shield.
The Battle for Third Place and a Ticket to India
Earlier in the event, Team Nemesis faced off against Interactive Philippines to decide the third and final team qualifying for the Asia Pacific Finals. Team Nemesis, led by the internationally experienced Marc Polo ‘Raven’ Fausto, proved too powerful for the young underdogs from Interactive Philippines. Raven's stellar performance, averaging 10 kills and 12 assists, secured their spot.
Philippine Representatives Head to APAC Finals
With their victories, Kukuys, Execration, and Team Nemesis have all booked their tickets to the Asia Pacific Predator League 2026 Grand Finals in India early next year. They will compete against the best teams from the region for a larger prize pool and glory. They will be joined by the winners of the Philippine VALORANT Finals, representing the full strength of Filipino esports talent on the international stage.
The event, organized by Predator Gaming, featured a total prize pool of P500,000 and demonstrated the massive and passionate fan base for esports in the Philippines.
