The final week of VCT Pacific Stage 1 league play has concluded with BOOM Esports and Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) emerging as the top seeds from their respective groups. Both teams have positioned themselves just one win away from qualifying for the Masters Toronto, marking a significant milestone in their competitive journey.
BOOM’s Perfect Run (5-0)
BOOM Esports has established itself as one of the most formidable teams in the Pacific region, completing a flawless 5-0 run in Group Alpha while only dropping two maps throughout the entire group stage. This impressive performance places them in elite company, joining G2 Esports from Americas and the winner of Team Heretics and FNATIC’s upcoming match as the only teams to finish Stage 1’s group stage undefeated.
What makes BOOM’s achievement even more remarkable is their journey to VCT Pacific. They weren’t originally meant to be in Tier 1 VCT, having narrowly lost the Ascension grand finals to Sin Prisa (now Nongshim Red Force) in a razor-thin finish. Despite this setback, they received a replacement invite and have maximized this opportunity, defeating powerhouses like Gen.G and DRX along the way.
In their final group stage match, BOOM decisively shut out Detonation FocusMe 2-0, cementing their undefeated status while leaving DFM winless in the tournament. With the top seed secured, BOOM enters the playoffs with a bye, placing them just one victory away from qualifying for Masters Toronto, which would mark the organisation’s first international appearance since Champions 2022.
RRQ’s Competitive Edge
On the other side of the bracket, Rex Regum Qeon topped Group Omega in what proved to be a highly competitive group. Despite suffering a minor setback with a 2-1 loss to Team Secret in their final match, RRQ had already secured their position as the Omega group’s top seed.
Team Secret, previously winless in 2025, managed to beat RRQ thanks to an outstanding performance from invy, who dominated the server with a 1.35 rating and 65 kills. However, this loss doesn’t diminish RRQ’s accomplishments, as they now enter the playoffs with a bye and stand one win away from qualifying for their first-ever international LAN, excluding LOCK//IN São Paulo.
The Playoffs
The playoff bracket is now set with several compelling matchups scheduled for the coming weeks. Perhaps the most anticipated clash features Pacific Kickoff grand finalists going head-to-head in the opening round. The playoffs will begin on April 26th with Upper Round 1 matches, followed by Upper Semifinals on April 27th.
Paper Rex secured the final playoff spot from Group Alpha by defeating Global Esports 2-0 in a win-or-go-home match. The victory wasn’t particularly close, with PRX stealing GE’s map pick 13-5 before closing out the series on Lotus. Looking ahead, PRX will need to secure three consecutive wins in the lower bracket to qualify for Masters Toronto.
In Group Omega, Nongshim RedForce claimed the final playoff berth by defeating ZETA DIVISION 2-1 in a decisive match. After trading map picks, Nongshim dominated the decider map 13-7 by winning the final nine rounds. This result relegated ZETA to fifth place in the group, narrowly missing out on playoff contention.
Korean Rivalry Intensifies
The tournament also showcased the fierce rivalry between Korean teams. DRX secured Group Alpha’s second seed with a 2-1 victory over Gen.G in a match that highlighted two of Korea’s premier duelists – HYUNMIN and t3xture. Both players finished with 60 kills each, but HYUNMIN’s team emerged victorious after a remarkable comeback on the decider map, Ascent.
Meanwhile, TALON turned heads with a 2-0 upset over Masters Bangkok champions T1. Star player Primmie, who recently transitioned to a permanent Duelist role, delivered a stellar performance with a 44/22 KD and 1.61 rating. This victory solidified TALON’s position over T1 in the Group Omega standings.
As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on whether BOOM and RRQ can capitalize on their advantageous positions to secure spots at Masters Toronto, or if established powerhouses like T1, DRX, and Gen.G will reassert their dominance in the Pacific region.
Andrew "SuZki" Scola is a dedicated Valorant player who has been in the game since the Valorant beta release. He has a peak rank of Immortal 3 and is also a semi-pro esports player. He's also been associated with a few gaming clans and communities, including Highlander Gaming and SoCal Valorant Community. In his free time, he creates content for the Valorant community and writes guides about Valorant based on his experience.
