The match between one of the tournament favorites, T1, and one of the least experienced teams, BOOM Esports, will be the opening game of the VCT 2025: Pacific Kickoff. In this analysis, we will attempt to predict the outcome of this match and determine which team has a better chance of facing Paper Rex in the second round.

Current Team Form

BOOM Esports

BOOM Esports has not shown consistent results in regional tournaments since their second-place finish at Pacific Ascension. Their most recent tournament, the Predator League Asia-Pacific 2025, ended with a 5th-6th place finish among tier-2 Asian teams. In best-of-one matches, the team has won only two out of their last five games.

The match against T1 will mark BOOM Esports’ debut in the VCT franchise league, as their roster previously competed exclusively against tier-2 opponents.

T1

T1 is in excellent form, having won the Red Bull Home Ground #5 and the Gwangju Esports Series Asia 2024. The team is currently on a nine-match winning streak, including victories against strong opponents like world champion EDward Gaming.

Their current statistics highlight their great form, which could pose a serious challenge for BOOM Esports.

Team Map Pools

BOOM Esports

BOOM Esports usually bans Split due to inconsistent performances on this map.

Maps played most frequently over the past year:

• Lotus (17 times, 82% win rate)
• Bind (12 times, 75% win rate)

Best maps:

• Bind (75% win rate)
• Abyss (80% win rate)

T1

T1 usually bans Haven, Abyss, or Lotus, depending on the opponent.

Maps played most frequently over the past year:

• Bind (12 times, 58% win rate)
• Lotus (15 times, 53% win rate)

Best maps:

• Haven (100% win rate)
• Bind (58% win rate)

Predicted Map Pool

• Banned maps: BOOM Esports bans Split, T1 bans Lotus
• Picks: BOOM Esports picks Bind, T1 picks Haven
• Expected decider: Fracture

Head-to-Head Matches

The teams have never faced each other before, as BOOM Esports has competed exclusively in the tier-2 scene, while T1 is a regular participant in tier-1 tournaments. This match will be BOOM Esports’ first test at a high level.

Match Prediction

Considering the current form, experience, and consistency of T1, they are clear favorites in this match. BOOM Esports might surprise their opponent by leveraging their strengths on Bind and Abyss, but their lack of experience in matches against tier-1 teams significantly reduces their chances.

Expected score: 2:0 in favor of T1.

VCT 2025: Pacific Kickoff takes place from January 18 to February 9 in a LAN format at the Sangam Colosseum in Seoul, South Korea. Twelve partnered teams from the VCT program are competing for two invitations to the Masters Bangkok tournament and crucial Pacific Points needed to qualify for the World Championship.