PKL Spring 2025 Playoffs: Same Dominance or Changing of the Guards?
Photo from HoK Philippines Esports
PKL Spring 2025 Playoffs: Same Dominance or Changing of the Guards?
MAKATI — After weeks of intense battles across the Philippine King League (PKL) Spring 2025 season, the Honor of Kings stage is set for a defining weekend.
Only four teams remain in contention for three tickets to the Kings World Cup (KWC) and the title of first-ever PKL champions. The playoffs will unfold inside One Ayala in Makati, where legacy and opportunity collide.
Blacklist International: Still the Standard
Touted as the kings of consistency, Blacklist International enters the playoffs as the undisputed frontrunner. The Filipino powerhouse completed a perfect 14-0 sweep of the regular season, dropping only two games—both in Week 8.
Led by Justine Ritchie “Juschie” Tan, who topped the PKL with 14 game MVPs, Blacklist remains the team to beat. Under the steady guidance of Coach Gerald Gianne “Tgee” Gelacio, the squad’s cohesion and championship poise have been unmatched.
With previous global runs at the HOK Championship 2024 and HOK Invitational Season 3, Blacklist has shown they aren’t just kings of the Philippines—but contenders on the world stage.
ACT Esports Club: From Open Series to Top Four
In contrast to Blacklist’s dominance, ACT Esports Club stands as the underdog story of the playoffs. Formed by four Filipinos and two Thai players, ACT made their way from the Open Series and clinched the final playoff berth in Week 5. Their 6-8 record may not turn heads, but their performance certainly did—especially their 2-1 upset over Elevate in the final week.
ACT’s upset over BOOM Esports in Week 4 also showed they can topple titans when it counts. Now, they’re in the big leagues—ready to defy the odds once more.
BOOM Esports: Redemption Arc Activated
After missing the last HOK Invitational at SM North EDSA due to a loss to Rough World Era Kadiliman (RWKD), BOOM Esports came back with a vengeance. Led by returning ace Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo, BOOM took the second playoff seed in a tight three-way race.
BOOM’s late-season surge—winning four of their last five games—was powered by the consistent performances of Heri “Tatsurii” Garcia and Karl Ken “KARLLL” Bautista. But questions remain: can they finally break through against RWKD, a team that once stunned them but whom they beat in both regular-season meetings?
Rough World Era Kadiliman: Hunger and Hauntings
RWKD’s journey has been nothing short of volatile. Their loss to BOOM in Week 5 knocked them out of the top two, forcing them into a do-or-die match against Team Eureka, which they narrowly won 2-1.
Anchored by rising star Homer “Fleur” Matol and the ever-reliable John Phillex “Daniii” Bulanadi, RWKD enters the semifinals with unfinished business. Despite losing both regular-season matches to BOOM, they remain a legitimate threat—ready to exorcise the ghosts of their Invitational qualifier heartbreaks.
One Arena. One Title. One Shot.
With three KWC slots on the line and one champion to be crowned, the PKL Spring 2025 playoffs are more than just a tournament—they’re a proving ground. For some, it’s about extending dominance. For others, it’s about rewriting their narrative.
All roads lead to One Ayala this weekend—where four teams fight for pride, for recognition, and for history.
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