A household name in the Dota 2 pro scene OG Esports now makes their move to Southeast Asia by absorbing Team Aureus under their banner.
OG Esports has shifted their attention to Southeast Asia after announcing their new roster consisting of Pinoy Dota 2 players.
As one of renowned teams in the Esports scene, OG left the European scene to begin a new chapter as a powerhouse in Asia.
“This move marks a new chapter in OG’s journey as a truly global esports organization,” said Xavier Oswald, OG Co-Owner and CEO. “From Europe to Southeast Asia, our story has always been about people, players, fans, and communities united by passion and resilience. Expanding into SEA isn’t just a geographic shift; it’s about embracing a region with incredible talent and energy that has shaped Dota 2 for years.”
In OG's transfer to Southeast Asia, the organization acquired Philippine squad Team Aureus and will showcase a lineup consisting of John Anthony "Natsumi" Vargas, Erin Jasper "Yopaj" Ferrer, Nikko "Nikko" Bilocura, Timothy "TIMS" Randrup, and Rolen Andrei Gabriel "skem" Ong. OG has tapped Malaysia's Adam "343" Shah as coach and Isaac "Lane" Alfon from the Philippines as the team manager.
For Sébastien "Ceb" Debs, the move to Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, brings a sense of familiarity for the organization.
"We found a new home, which is not so new because SEA, and the Philippines in particular, as you know we go back to Manila Major. It's always been home for us," Ceb said in a video statement for OG Esports.
Ceb was the coach of the OG team that won the Manila Major in 2016, marking their first back-to-back Major wins.
He would later on become OG's offlaner going into The International 2018 (TI8) and The International 2019 (TI9) together with co-owner and Johan "NOtail" Sundstein, Jesse "JerAx Vainikka, Anatham "ana" Pham, and Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen. OG became the first team to win back-to-back titles in The International.
OG Esports revealed that the potential of players in the SEA region made them fearsome in the Dota 2 pro scene but have yet to achieve a milestone comparable to their counterparts.
"SEA teams have always been teams to fear and to respect, but they never really achieved the results that everybody expected from them. There's always been tremendous potential, and everytime with players, coaches, or with the scene, always the same came out to us: we are missing leadership, we're missing culture, and you know maybe sometimes discipline, team aspects. We're missing professionalism. But the Dota is there. The talent is there," Ceb bared.
In 2016, TNC Pro Team entered The International as an underdog squad from Southeast Asia. But in an unexpected turn of events, TNC was able to beat tournament favorites OG in Round 2 of the Lower Bracket.
TNC would eventually lose to the tournament's runner-up, Digital Chaos, in the next round.
But more than the potential, the x-factor for OG to move to Southeast Asia are the fans.
"There's always been so much love back and forth. SEA always felt like home to us, and I want to thank all the SEA fans for the support that you always provided to OG. And now, hopefully, it will be our time to give this back," Ceb said.
"I'm just looking forward and excited to see how far this OG Dota team would go. I'll help as much as I can. Johan will help as much as he can."
OG finding a home in Southeast Asia is proof of the organizations global ambition to recognize the regions passion and talent in the DOTA 2 scene, an undertaking that has been part of OG's identity while also respecting the competitive identity of the SEA region.
“What excites me most is the chance to reinvent ourselves while staying true to who we are,” added Oswald. “Dota 2 has always been part of OG’s DNA, and this new roster gives us fresh energy, new perspectives, and a chance to write another great story. The future of OG is global, competitive, and more connected than ever.”
The new OG roster will debut in PGL Wallachia Season 6 on Nov. 15, competing against powerhouse teams such as Team Liquid, Team Spirit, Tundra Esports, and Parivision.