Brazil shines in Dust2.us' TOTM for December 2022

At the beginning of each month, Dust2.us commemorates the best players inside the North American Counter-Strike scene by awarding five domestic talents over the three major competitive layers as members of Dust2.us’ Team of the Month.

This monthly award is handed out to the most impressive tier-one professional North American talents, as well as the best players inside of the second tier, most notably teams competing in ESL Challenger League. Lastly, to highlight the next best upcoming talent inside of the scene, at least one spot is given to the best player in ESEA Advanced over the month.

The aim of this award is not only to continue to spread the good word of some of the best players in the scene today but also to give a platform of discovery to rising talents who may dominate the servers of tomorrow. As a part of the mission to improve our coverage within the scene, monthly recognition of the best players across the region comes as a natural step in growth.

In our efforts to continue highlighting the performances of the region’s best talents, it is only right that the coaches receive the proper spotlight. Accompanying the five players chosen for the Team of the Month will also be the Coach of the Month, to ensure the mind behind the talent gets its deserved recognition.

Starting off this month’s list is Liquid’s Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski, as the long-time Liquid star served as the performance leader for his team in pursuit of another second-place trophy. Falling short of the trophy again is not what the team hoped for, but staying in contention against the top teams is a strong sign entering the new year. EliGE’s team-leading 1.10 rating to close the year shows that the star is ready to roll in 2023.

Joining the TOTM for the first time is MIBR AWPer Henrique “HEN1” Teles. He shined in ESL Challenger League S43 as his team took first place over EG Black in a three-map sweep, closing the season with a +110 K/D differential. His 1.26 rating and 1.48 K/D ratio on the month are also strong metrics to earn him a seat in the final TOTM for 2022.

Earning a second spot on the TOTM is paiN’s Romeu “zevy” Rocco, a surging 21-year-old talent that is looking to be a major catalyst for paiN to finally break beyond being a baby brother to Brazil’s best. He took off for his team in ECL Relegation with a 1.44 rating to make it back to ECL and also stomped competition inside CCT NA Series 2 to earn first place.

Joining his teammate HEN1 on the list is Jhonatan “JOTA” Willian, who also served as an x-factor for MIBR to win ECL with a 1.22 rating. His consistent form was a pillar for MIBR’s success to close the year, and his impressive play has his name in the rumor mill to go to Imperial.

Rounding out the list for the second time is 17-year-old Limitless sensation Adam “Grizz” Golden who was absolutely pivotal for his team to not only make a deep run in this seasons’ ADV playoffs but also earn a spot in ECL S44 through relegation. He ended both events fifth in rating to close the month with a sound 1.25 rating. With the region desperate for impressive talent under the age of 20, Grizz is a breath of fresh air.

Earning his second coaching honors inside the TOTM is MIBR’s Bruno “BIT” Lima. A 21-10 map record was headlined by a sweep over EG Black in the finals of ECL S44. Only time will tell what will happen to the lineup regarding the JOTA rumors, but BIT had his team in top form to end the year.

Dust2’s Team of the Month for December is:

• Jonathan “EliGE “Jablonowski

• Henrique “HEN1” Teles

• Romeu “zevy” Rocco

• Jhonatan “JOTA” Willian

• Adam “Grizz” Golden

• Bruno “BIT” Lima (Coach)

TOTM all-time leaders:

• Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken: 5

• Keith “NAF” Markovic: 4

• Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt: 3

• Damian “daps” Steele (Coach): 3

• Daniel “sprayxd” Kogan (Coach): 3

• Nine-way tie: 2