Kukuys stuns Execration to bag Dota 2 Predator League PH title

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Team Kukuys was down, but they were never out.

Facing deep trouble after trailing 0-2 in the grand finals match, Team Kukuys weaved its magic in the last three games, pulling off a shocking reverse sweep to outlast Execration, 3-2, to reign supreme in the Predator League Philippines Dota 2 tournament on Nov. 15, 2025, at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City.

Despite staying late in the wee hours beyond SM North Edsa’s closing mall time, hundreds of Dota 2 esports fans were treated to one of the most exciting grand finals series of the year.

Team Kukuys, led by the veteran 1-2 punch of Carlo “Kuku” Palad and Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios, swept Games 3 to 5 to win the finale, alongside Djardel “DJ” Mampusti, Julius “JG” Galeon, and Charles “Lewis” Delos Santos.

Execration ran them down in Game 1 to draw first blood and moved a win away from capturing the Predator League trophy after surviving Team Kukuys’ comeback attempt in Game 2.

However, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

In Game 3, Team Kukuys finally picked a natural carry hero, banking on a farmed Ursa Warrior, followed by Armel’s Storm Spirit domination to win Game 4, tying the series at 2-all.

It then came down to the wire in a winner-take-all Game 5 that lasted for exactly an hour and 34 seconds. The rubber match figured in several chess matches and map outplays, but Team Kukuys got the last laugh, making the tri-core of Dragon Knight, Undying, and Bristleback work.

Despite the insane physical damage from Execration’s Gyrocopter pick, Team Kukuys was able to kite him in the tense final clash at the top Dire jungle that sealed the deal, as well as the PHP 200,000 grand prize.

For the second consecutive game, Armel had a consistent outing in the middle lane and was crucial in bursting Execration’s Gyrocopter in several clashes, especially in the bottom lane Dire ancient jungle, where he popped a Refresher Shard to chain-stun the hard carry.

The duo of Lewis and JG did their roles of tanking the team fight, while DJ and Kuku provided the much-needed magical damage with an insane burst of AOE (area of effect).

With the win, Kukuys will be one of the three teams representing the Philippines in the upcoming Asia Pacific Predator League, to be held in India from Jan. 9 to 11, 2026.