Armel and Jabz to stand in for BOOM Esports ahead of FISSURE Universe Episode 4

Armel and Jabz will be taking over from departing players Mac and Fbz.

One of Southeast Asia’s top Dota 2 teams, BOOM Esports, announced a series of roster changes in the last two days, parting ways with Saieful “Fbz” Ilham and Mc Nicholson “Mac” Villanueva on Friday (14 March) before revealing Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios and Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong as stand-ins on Saturday (15 March). 

Many fans are surprised to see Indonesian offlaner Fbz leave the team, as he had been an integral member of BOOM for much of the organisation's time in Dota 2. He played with the Indonesian organisation since February 2018 and left in November 2023, after which he joined high-profile teams like Team Secret and Nigma Galaxy. He eventually returned to BOOM in September 2024, but his tenure lasted only seven months, at least this time around. Filipino midlaner Mac will also leave after six months with the team.

This drastic roster change follows BOOM’s lackluster performances in the new season. The team failed to win the grand final in multiple Southeast Asian qualifiers for major events, notably losing to Talon Esports in three out of the five qualifiers they have played in so far. Their recent performance at DreamLeague Season 25 was also disappointing, as they only finished 13th-14th. 

Armel and Jabz to stand in for BOOM at FISSURE Universe Episode 4 

A day after the departure of the Fbz and Mac, BOOM revealed two prominent names will be joining the team as stand-ins. 

Filipino midlaner Armel, widely known from his TNC Predator days, will stand in as the mid laner, marking his return to the professional scene after a year-long hiatus. The next stand-in is Thai offlaner, Jabz, who is fresh off his departure from Aurora Gaming after the organisation ditched its Southeast Asian lineup to instead field an Eastern European squad.

BOOM Esports’ current Dota 2 roster is as follows:

1. Souliya “JaCkky” Khoomphetsavong
2. Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios (Stand-In)
3. Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong (Stand-In)
4. Timothy “TIMS” Randrup
5. Jaunuel “Jaunuel” Arcilla
6. Yee fung “Mushi” Chai (Coach)

This lineup will partake in its first tier-one tournament of the season, FISSURE Universe Episode 4, which the team qualified for through its Southeast Asian qualifier back in early February. This tournament will take place in an online setting from 22 to 30 March and will feature a US$500,000 prize pool. BOOM Esports will compete alongside current powerhouses like Team Spirit, Team Liquid, PARIVISION, and familiar regional opponents like Talon Esports.

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