The International 2026: Southeast Asia Open Qualifier 2

As of now eight teams entered the bracket and six were eliminated today, leaving Direborn and Mentality Monster as the two semifinal winners who advance to the final. Those two teams will contest the playoff final while a separate decider bracket will determine the other qualification spot(s). The remaining matches will decide which three teams move on to the closed qualifier, so both the final and the decider are crucial.

This regional open qualifier awards three slots to the closed qualifier, which is the main prize for teams in this bracket. That means the winner, runner-up and the decider winner (or the top three from playoffs depending on bracket rules) will advance, making the decider match as important as the final for teams chasing a closed-qual berth. Securing one of these slots is often the most valuable outcome for orgs and players at this stage.

Quarterfinals and semifinals concluded with Mentality Monster defeating Ivory in the quarters and then beating cincai team in the semifinals, while Direborn knocked out Tekla in the quarters and then beat InterActive Philippines in the semis. Those semifinal wins set up a Direborn vs Mentality Monster final, and the eliminated teams from today include InterActive Philippines, Ivory, Pandawa Lima, Seize the day, Tekla and cincai team. These outcomes narrow the field down to the final and the upcoming decider match to allocate the remaining closed-qual spots.

Detailed pick/ban and per-hero statistics for these playoff matches have not been published publicly as of now, so it’s difficult to present a granular draft analysis. Without official logs or VOD breakdowns released, fans should expect broader strategic takeaways rather than exact meta tables. Organizers sometimes post full drafts or VODs after the day’s matches, so check official channels for updates.

The decider bracket is a single-elimination route that determines the remaining qualification spot(s) to the closed qualifier — in this event with three slots available, the decider typically names the final team to advance. Its matches are high-stakes because teams that lose in the semifinals still get a second chance to clinch a closed-qual berth, so the decider can be just as intense and strategically significant as the final. For many organizations, winning the decider translates directly to more exposure, funding opportunities, and a shot at the main event pipeline.

Saying the event is roughly 75% complete reflects that most of the bracket has been played through, with quarterfinals and semifinals finished and only the final and decider remaining. This stage signals the transition from broad field trimming to deciding the actual qualifiers who will move on to the closed qualifier phase. Fans should expect the remaining matches to be decisive and tactically tight, since they directly determine who advances.

No definitive prize pool or official viewership metrics have been released for this regional open qualifier as of now. Open qualifiers typically focus on earning closed-qual slots rather than large cash prizes, and viewership figures for online regional qualifiers are often published later or summarized by organizers. Keep an eye on official tournament pages and broadcaster channels for any post-event reports or numbers.

Direborn and Mentality Monster are the standout teams to watch after their semifinal victories, as they’ve earned direct paths to the final and are in strong position to secure closed-qual berths. Semifinalists like InterActive Philippines and cincai team also showed form that could translate well if they win the decider, making them dark horses to follow. Advancing from this stage raises profiles for players and can lead to roster interest from larger organizations, so strong individual performances here matter.

Qualifying to the closed qualifiers has meaningful career implications: it increases player exposure to talent scouts, improves an organization’s competitive resume, and can unlock sponsorship or funding conversations that weren’t available at the open level. For players, a strong run can lead to invitations, trial offers, or permanent roster moves, while organizations benefit from heightened visibility and potential revenue streams. Even teams that narrowly miss out often gain valuable experience and public recognition from their runs here.

Matches are being held online and organizers typically stream the final and decider on official broadcast channels and partner platforms — check the tournament’s official pages and social media for live links and VOD uploads. Tournament pages will also post match results and bracket updates as soon as games finish, so those are the best destinations for real-time scorelines and schedules. If you want live commentary or community reaction, follow the teams’ and regional casters’ channels for additional coverage.