- The "ice Joins Ks" Post -

the background.

ice is one of the founding members of Team Zenith, put together by a bunch of ex-DsD DOTA players and initially named mVp). Together, this formidable team walked all over their opponents for the good part of a year before tasting defeat in WCG 2006 to team mi2. Following that, LuX- enlisted and quit the team, xMusiCa- left for Australia, and GPS- took a backseat as organizer while preparing for his A levels. Tofu-, Ant- and ice were similarly weighed down with major exams. With this first major reshuffle in line-up, Zenith was thrown into some sort of disarray and it was thus not very surprising that they lost WCG 2007 to Micronology.

What happens next makes things more complicated. Under Tofu’s direction and persuasion (and the lack of original Zenith members), he initiates a merger with arch rivals Micronology.

the controversy.

After a break from team Zenith in 2007 during which he was studying for his N levels, ice returns to a totally different Zenith, with only 2 original members still actively in the team, and arguably, only Tofu actively playing. (Ant, and the team, was pre empting his imminent enlistment, hence he took on the role of Organiser)

Not very certain how things would turn out, ice plays a couple of competitions with the new micro-Zenith before breaking away to form his own team “JUJUJU”. Reluctant to go back to micro-Zenith, but also admitting that JUJUJU was not experienced enough to win as consistently as micro-Zenith (especially since WaN decides to go back to iPod), ice plays for the 2 teams for different online competitions - ADC and SKOTH. (ie, JUJUJU and micro-Zenith)

the finale.

About this time, interaction with Malaysian team Kingsurf increases due to the nature of Asian online DOTA competitions which have to be played via GGC. They invite him for some games (which I think they’ve been dying to do for a while) and things work out really well with them.

ice however, doesn’t feel that its realistic to play with Ks, especially since he is in his O level year. Also, he wouldn’t be able to take part in Malaysia’s ESWC or WCG or any of the national competitions which exclude foreigners, and vice versa. This indecision culminates with a discussion with micro-Zenith, where they voice their dissatisfaction with his teaming up with their current arch rival team Ks. Being pressed for a decision, he avoids giving an answer until he played – and won – a Malaysian Cc competition (Cyberstar) together with Ks.

ice in competition in malaysia @ cyberstar.
from left to right, seated - ice, xiaoma, yamateh, papaxiong, ice.

Having lived, slept, played and eaten with the Ks guys for 3 days and 2 nights, the decision is easy to make. So easy that he makes it without me. (The first decision EVER he makes independent of me, possibly.) So, in the wee hours, I wake up, and find out, that…

ice chooses Ks.

(incidentally, Ks is going to change their team name as they are leaving their current sponsors Kingsurf. Also, it would be interesting to see how the team differentiates between their 2 ice’s.)

receiving prize money and medals.

from left to right - papaxiong, yamateh, ice(sitting down to prove that he's taller than yamateh even when he's seated), xiaoma, ice, cyberstar staff.