BLAST Slam II: Playoff Quarterfinals Recap

From February 4 to February 9, 2025, one of the biggest Dota 2 tournaments of the first half of the year, BLAST Slam II, is taking place. The teams have already completed the group stage, determining their starting positions in the playoffs. On February 7, 2025, the quarterfinals began, featuring two key matchups: Nigma Galaxy vs. PARIVISION and Yakult Brothers vs. Team Falcons. In this article, we’ll break down both matches and highlight the most exciting moments from this stage of the tournament.

Nigma Galaxy vs. PARIVISION

The quarterfinals delivered two thrilling matches, with Nigma Galaxy facing PARIVISION, who had confidently defeated Team Liquid in the previous round. All matches are played in a best-of-three (BO3) format, adding to the tournament’s intensity.

The first game was completely unexpected, as Nigma Galaxy dominated their opponents. Although PARIVISION had a more stable draft, Nigma Galaxy's fast-paced gameplay allowed them to outfarm their rivals, securing a significant advantage in team fights. The final score was 37-11, with the game ending in 32 minutes.

The second game was much more competitive. PARIVISION proved that they were a tough opponent, having previously placed in the top three at several prestigious tournaments last year. They drafted Templar Assassin, a perfect counter to Nigma Galaxy’s squishy heroes, and managed to secure 15 kills. Despite the game being very close, PARIVISION claimed victory with a score of 30-29, closing the match in 46 minutes.

The decisive third game saw both teams carefully selecting their heroes. Nigma Galaxy opted for a more balanced draft, keeping their previous strategy but swapping Dawnbreaker for Bristleback and Morphling for Phantom Assassin, which proved to be the key factor in this match. PA secured 19 kills, becoming unstoppable in the late game. Ultimately, Nigma Galaxy won 30-24, closing the match in 45 minutes. With this victory, Nigma Galaxy advanced to the BLAST Slam II semifinals, where they will face Tundra Esports.

Yakult Brothers vs. Team Falcons

The second match of the day featured Yakult Brothers vs. Team Falcons, who had defeated BB Team in the previous round.

The first game was unexpectedly one-sided, resembling a Turbo match. Team Falcons dominated the laning phase, which likely led to their early aggressive playstyle. The match ended in just 17 minutes, with a 21-4 victory for Team Falcons.

The second game followed a similar pattern, with Team Falcons maintaining their aggressive Dota 2 playstyle. There were more team fights this time, most of which favored Team Falcons. Special mention goes to Malr1ne, who played mid-lane Lina, and AMMAR_THE_F, who played Tiny in the offlane, both securing 11 kills each. In the end, Team Falcons defeated Yakult Brothers 31-15, closing the match in 32 minutes.

With this 2-0 series victory, Team Falcons advanced to the BLAST Slam II semifinals, where they will face Gaimin Gladiators.

What are your thoughts on these matches?