In a bid to revitalize their Dota 2 roster following a disappointing showing at the Elite League, Virtus.pro has announced a significant change. On April 25th, 2024, the organization made the decision to move their long-standing position four support, Oleg “sayuw” Kalenbet, to the inactive roster.
Taking his place is Vladislav “Antares” Kertman, formerly of 9Pandas, who joins Virtus.pro with immediate effect.
Transition to Antares
The decision to replace Sayuw with Antares signifies a strategic move by Virtus.pro to inject new energy and potential into their lineup. Antares, although relatively young, brings a wealth of experience from prominent Dota 2 tournaments, despite not yet securing major titles.
Statement from Virtus.pro
In their official announcement on Telegram, Virtus.pro expressed gratitude to Sayuw for his contributions, particularly highlighting their performance at The International 2023, where they achieved a commendable 7th-8th place finish. The organization also extended a warm welcome to Antares, emphasizing his potential to enhance the team’s competitive edge.
Strategic Justification
Alexander “StrangeR” Solomonov, head of Virtus.pro’s Dota 2 roster, explained the rationale behind the roster change. Acknowledging over a year without adjustments, he emphasized the necessity of evolving to achieve desired tournament results. StrangeR emphasized that the decision was not a critique of any individual player but rather a proactive step toward improvement.
Welcome a new addition to our Dota 2 roster — Antares.
Vladislav is a young player who has already proven himself as a professional, with significant experience competing in major Dota 2 tournaments 🏆
He will be replacing Oleg 'sayuw' Kalenbet, who will be moving to a… pic.twitter.com/PWb9V4ulRJ
— Virtus.pro (@virtuspro) April 25, 2024
Looking Ahead: PGL Wallachia Season 1
Virtus.pro’s reshaped roster faces an immediate challenge with the upcoming PGL Wallachia Season 1 tournament. With a prize pool of $1 million and stiff competition from 16 teams, including seasoned rivals, Virtus.pro has a tight timeline to integrate Antares into their strategies and refine their gameplay.
Virtus.pro’s Strategic Gamble: Antares’ Inclusion and PGL Wallachia Season 1
The inclusion of Antares represents a calculated gamble by Virtus.pro to invigorate their competitive prospects. As the team gears up for PGL Wallachia Season 1, all eyes will be on how this strategic adjustment impacts their performance in one of Dota 2’s premier tournaments.