The BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 playoffs open with a tense international showdown — paiN versus Passion UA. This is a match between teams that took very different paths during the group stage: paiN fought against the favorites and showed resilience, while Passion UA surprised with their stability and quality in key moments. Ahead is a Bo3 quarterfinal, with the winner advancing to face FURIA in the semifinals. On the line is not only a top-4 finish but also a chance to compete for part of the $350,000 prize pool.
BLAST RIVALS 2025 SEASON 2 — A CRITICAL STAGE OF THE AUTUMN CYCLE
BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 is taking place in Hong Kong from November 12 to 16. Eight teams are competing in Double Elimination groups and a Single Elimination playoff bracket. The Grand Final will be played in a Bo5 format, with the champion taking home $125,000. After the group stage, TYLOO and Vitality were eliminated, while Passion UA and paiN placed second in their respective groups and earned their playoff spots. For both teams, this tournament is an opportunity to secure a place in the world’s top 30 and prove themselves on the LAN stage against strong opponents.
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HEAD-TO-HEAD — THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT MEETING
This is the first meaningful Bo3 encounter between paiN and Passion UA this season. Both teams have refreshed lineups and clearly structured gameplay systems. Passion UA showcase dynamic, adaptive play focused on aggressive round openings, while paiN follow the classic Brazilian style — slow map control and strong mid-round decision-making. Statistically, paiN appear more experienced, but Passion UA compensate with diverse opening rounds and the high individual level of several key players.
CURRENT FORM
- Passion UA — a young European roster with powerful momentum.
The team has reached excellent form, winning Urban Riga Open and advancing to the final of DraculaN Season 2. Their impressive group-stage performance — including a victory over The MongolZ — confirms their strength on LAN. Their leader is Grim, with a 1.20 rating and consistently strong play in deciding rounds. Hallzerk provides reliable AWP support, while Kvem and nicx create space with aggressive entries. Passion UA sometimes struggle to adapt against slow-paced teams, but their tempo-driven approach often brings results.
- paiN — discipline and experience on the big stage.
The Brazilians play a balanced game: structured setups on defense and controlled pacing in attack. Although their recent win rate sits around 50%, most of their losses have come from top-tier teams. AWPer nqz is stable in opening duels, while dgt and dav1deuS give the team an advantage in entry positions. Biguzera leads the mid-rounds, guiding the team clearly through difficult situations. paiN’s main drawback is their passive openings and difficulty adapting quickly when opponents impose a high tempo.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics over the last 3 months (Passion UA | paiN):
- Dust2: 75% | 57%
- Mirage: — | 50%
- Inferno: 29% | 50%
- Nuke: 62% | 60%
- Train: 55% | 50%
- Overpass: 50% | 50%
- Ancient: 33% | 17%
Predicted veto:
- Passion UA will most likely remove Ancient — their weakest map, where both they and paiN have poor results.
- paiN traditionally ban Dust2, where Passion UA dominate and feel exceptionally comfortable.
Expected picks:
- Passion UA should choose Nuke — a map where they effectively combine aggression through main with precise defensive structures.
- paiN will likely pick Mirage or Train, where they can impose their slow style and control mid-map pressure.
The deciding map will most likely be Overpass — neutral ground where both teams have similar statistics and often demonstrate strong macro play.
KEY DUELS
- Grim vs nqz — the main battle for impact. Grim consistently pulls through key rounds, but nqz can shift the entire match if he wins the opening duels.
- JT vs biguzera — the captains’ duel, where playstyle will determine the pace of the whole series.
- hallzerk vs dgt/dav1deuS — the sniper versus aggressive entry duel, with the Brazilian entries known for changing tempo and flanking frequently.
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PREDICTION
The match looks extremely balanced: Passion UA have better current form and a strong map pick, but paiN possess a more mature style and greater LAN stability. If Passion UA confidently win their map pick, the series may go to a third map. However, in decisive rounds, paiN’s experience and the quality of their mid-round decisions may become the deciding factor. A tense series is expected, but the Brazilians have a slight structural advantage.
Predicted score: paiN 2–1 Passion UA
