Back in top four form after a surprise Austin Major run, PaiN dominated in Hong Kong with clean calling and crisp entries. A controlled thirteen four on Nuke set the pace, followed by a composed thirteen seven on Inferno to complete the two zero. The Brazilian squad now meets regional rival FURIA, the Americas leader in November Valve Regional Standings and fresh IEM Chengdu champion.
Vitality outlasts Spirit
The opposite side of the bracket delivered a classic. Spirit struck first on Dust II, thirteen eleven, powered by Donk and sh1ro erasing an early deficit. Nuke went the distance with Donk landing an outrageous one versus five on map point before Vitality closed nineteen sixteen in double overtime. Mirage mirrored the tension. Vitality sprinted to six one, Spirit clawed back to ten ten on the back of multikills from Donk, and zweih locked down A with a clinical triple to force overtime. Vitality then rattled off three straight rounds and sealed it sixteen thirteen for the two one series.
What it means
PaiN brings momentum and a defined identity into a showdown with an in form FURIA. Vitality faces Team Falcons in a semi that pits 2025 consistency against star power and deep calling trees. Both series are stylistic contrasts that should reveal where each roster sits post break.
Players to watch
For PaiN, look for mid round polish around the riflers that fueled their Austin surge. For Vitality, spacing around ZywOo in late rounds was the difference on Mirage and remains their closing edge. Spirit’s Donk reminded everyone he is a series breaker even in defeat.
Semifinals will decide who chases the BLAST Rivals Fall 2025 trophy and a confidence boost heading toward year end events.
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