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BLAST Slam V Play-In Results and Playoffs Schedule
We are back after BLAST Slam V Play-In concluded, to break down what happened with our 12 contestants. After the Group Stage wrapped up, Team Falcons and Tundra Esports secured direct seeding into the Playoffs Semifinals.
Let’s take a look at how the remaining 10 teams navigated the Last Chance Playoff (LCP) and the Play-In, and how the balance of power shifted, especially between the Americas and Southeast Asia, where the underdogs delivered some surprising results.
BLAST Slam V: Last Chance Playoff
The first stop after the Group Stage was the Last Chance Playoff, featuring the bottom seeds. All three Chinese teams dropped to this phase, along with one Southeast Asian representative. The first match for survival saw Xtreme Gaming eliminate Tearlaments, leaving three Chinese teams still in the run.
Next, Execration faced the Yakult Brothers but couldn’t stay alive after a 2–0 defeat. This left OG as the only Southeast Asian team still standing, though unlike Execration, they were about to deliver some good news shortly afterward.
BLAST Slam V: Play-In
In contrast to the LCP, the Play-In stage delivered surprising results. Natus Vincere reaffirmed their Tier 1 form by defeating Team Tidebound and securing a Playoff berth. This result further thinned the Chinese field after Tearlaments’ earlier elimination by XG.
Then, Southeast Asia had a reason to cheer: OG swept Heroic 2–0 to claim their spot in the Playoffs. Heroic started the season strong but now seem to be falling off, paving the way for this Southeast Asian OG lineup to rise.
The third Play-In match featured Xtreme Gaming attempting to reach the Playoffs through Team Yandex. Despite an early lead, Xtreme Gaming fell by 2–1 and we have another Chinese team bowing out.
Finally, MOUZ faced the Yakult Brothers for the last remaining Playoff slot. The Yakult Brothers remain inconsistent and, after surviving the LCP, fell to MOUZ. With that, no Chinese teams got to the main event.
Playoff Schedule
With all prior stages completed, it’s time to look ahead to the BLAST Slam V Playoffs. As in the previous edition, the event takes a brief pause between the Play-In and the Playoffs, returning on December 5th.
The Playoffs will be a single-elimination bracket, featuring two matches each on December 5th and 6th. The Grand Finals will stand alone on December 7th. Showmatches featuring special rosters will also take place on December 6th and 7th.
Now without further ado, check the BLAST Slam V Playoff Schedule below:
- December 5th — 06:00 GMT — OG vs. Team Yandex
- December 5th — 10:00 GMT — Natus Vincere vs. MOUZ
- December 6th — 06:00 GMT — Team Falcons vs. OG/Yandex
- December 6th — 10:00 GMT — Tundra Esports vs. NaVi/MOUZ
Closing Thoughts
The Group Stage and ensuing phases cut the BLAST Slam V lineup in half as planned. While China saw all its teams get eliminated, Southeast Asia has plenty to celebrate with OG showing meaningful progress after region hopping.
This playoff bracket seems primed for another Tundra vs. Falcons Grand Final, but MOUZ remain a dangerous wild card, especially after pushing Team Spirit to the limit at the PGL Wallachia Season 6.
Exciting matches lie ahead. We’ll keep a close eye on every development and report the most important highlights. To stay updated on everything happening in the Dota 2 pro circuit, make sure to check the news section on the Strafe website!
Featured Image Source: Twitter (@BLASTDota)
