BenQMski.JaBiTo: DotA for 6 years, then become StarCraft 2 professional gamer

With numerous upcoming major events on StarCraft2, it is with great pleasure for Rapture Gaming Network to interview one of the best gamers in the Philippines. He was hailed victorious in the recent Ph. SC2 qualifier that will represent his country in the SEA open in Singapore this weekend.

RGN was fortunate to conduct an interview with one of the SC2 Elites. His name is Paolo Javier, or better known as BenQ-Mski.JaBiTo.

RGN: Hi Paolo, first please introduce yourself to our readers.

JaBiTo: Hello, my name is Jose Paolo R. Javier, also known as BenQMskiJaBiTo. I'm 23 years of age and I am a Professional Gamer of StarCraft 2.

RGN: Can you give us a brief history on how did you start to play competitive StarCraft?

JaBiTo: Well, it all started when I was playing competitive Dota. I had played Dota for 6 years. I have always wanted to showcase my skills in competitive cyber games, and it was the first game that caught my attention, as it required skill and strategic analysis in combat.

When StarCraft 2 was released, I just wanted to try my strategic prowess in this popular real time strategy game. A few months went by and I was surprised that I was ranked one of the best in South East Asia. Then there was a local tournament soon after, even though I lost my very first local tournament, I felt that StarCraft 2 can quench my thirst for competition. That's when I decided to play StarCraft 2 professionally.

RGN: Great story bro! I’ve noticed you've played competitive DotA for 6 years. Which teams were you with in that time?

JaBiTo: The first well-known team I joined was when I was studying in Cebu for three years. I was invited to play in a team known as Topia. Then we got good talents there and we started to dominate Cebu. We've represented Cebu two straight years in the WCG and ACG Dota. I was with eXs and BTE from Cebu. We changed our names a couple of times and had some roster changes but still I was with them during my stay there. When I came back to Manila, team Equinox took me in. I was with the well renowned shoutcaster TryQ and the very well-known Tots.

There were a lot of DotA teams in Taft during my days in Dota. I also had a team here in Makati popularly known as Wired. I was with Pacific.Ace that time then I joined forces with the popular Jhoven too. As we three lived in close proximity to PRC. We were well known in Makati and most of the places around it. After Equinox and during my days with Wired, I was recruited by MineskiRevitalize and then we formed MineskiProdigy soon after. That was the last team I was in before I left competitive DotA.

RGN: Going back with your major, what's your primary Race in SC2?

JaBiTo: I'm currently playing Terran.

RGN: Do you think which are the advantages of the race that you use with the others?

JaBiTo: I was Zerg for a good amount of time. I switched to Terran because I felt that It was the hardest race to master. It requires a greater amount of multitasking and micromanagement compared to the other races. Terran can harass with a few tech units like Banshees and Hellions, which are really good at sniping workers while being elusive as well. So the micro of the Terran players must be on point as well as not slipping up on macro. It's hard but once mastered; the Terran race can be quite destructive.

RGN: By the way, do you play any sports, like basketball or something?

JaBiTo: I used to be a varsity in Football and Table Tennis, but I don't get to do those anymore. I play more badminton now and swim when I get the chance.

RGN: Wow! So you are also an athlete! How did you end up with Mineski?

JaBiTo: When I came back from Cebu, our team Equinox always practiced at Mineski Ground because it was closer to most of the members of the team. We got to play with most of the members of team Mineski that time and got to spend a lot of time with the original Mineski team, Bong and Tony and of course Rhorho. That's how I got to be part of the "Mineski Family".

RGN: Great! Anyway, there is an upcoming SC2 tournament in Japan "The Asia eSports Cup", will you be joining that tourney?

JaBiTo: Yes, I and Enderr/Stellar will be competing there. It has a qualifier for the Philippines and New Zealand combined. Only one player will be able to compete in Japan though. So may the best man win?

RGN: Glad to know that! What are the preparations that you've been doing for the Asian eSports Cup?

JaBiTo: I have been training on different accounts to hide my game style from other players. I'm training harder than usual because EnDerr/Stellar will be the favorite to win it and I want to give him a really tough fight.

RGN: Great strategy! It’s amazing! Do you think the SC2 players from New Zealand will give the Filipino' players a hard time?

JaBiTo: For one, I don't really know anything about the New Zealand players; it would be really interesting to find out how they play. But since they too don't know how we play, the grounds are fairly even. I just hope a Filipino will be the victor.

RGN: Do you think what were the deciding factors that Stellar beat you in the previous SC2 Ph. Qualifier?

JaBiTo: Stellar is a great player. He has more experience because he came from competitive StarCraft 1. He has the experience and the skill to beat me; I just took it as a challenge for me to do better next time.

RGN: Last couple of questions Paolo. Who do you think aside from Stellar is your greatest competition here in the Ph.?

JaBiTo: There are a few who have maintained great results in the past couple of local tournaments. They are the two Protoss heroes MskiPobbes, and MskiWaning, and also the two great Terran players Polkadodge and MSI's newest member Dane.

RGN: Those guys are really great players, indeed. Any shoutouts to your fans and to our RGN Readers?

JaBiTo: I just want to thank RGN for this interview. I hope I can inspire more StarCraft 2 enthusiasts to play better. I also want to thank everyone who has been supporting Stellar and me in our road to being better gamers.

I want to invite everyone to support our tournament in Singapore this coming July 28-29 in the WCS as the winner will be able to compete in China. Thank you all and please continue to support E-sports in the Philippines. Lastly, I want to thank BenQ and Mineski; without them, I wouldn't be where I am right now. Good Game Have Fun.

Photo Credits: JaBiTo Facebook Fanpage