History was made this past Sunday, June 8th, at One Ayala Concourse as BOOM Esports completed a dramatic redemption arc, conquering the previously undefeated Blacklist International in a thrilling 4-3 comeback to claim the inaugural Philippine Kings League (PKL) Spring 2025 championship.
This monumental victory not only crowned BOOM Esports as the first Kings of the Filipino Honor of Kings scene but also secured their coveted spot, alongside Blacklist International and third-placers ACT Esports Club, at the prestigious Kings World Cup in Riyadh this July.
The Grand Finals: A Seven-Game Thriller
Blacklist International entered the Grand Finals as the undisputed titans of the league, boasting an astounding 14-0 series record in the regular season and maintaining their flawless streak through the playoffs. Their dominance had many predicting a clean sweep, but BOOM Esports had a different narrative in mind.
The series began with BOOM Esports drawing first blood. Karl Ken “KARLLL” Bautista, on Augran, led a strong charge in Game 1 with a flawless 9-0-5 KDA. However, Blacklist International, showcasing their championship resilience, swiftly retaliated. Chammy Paul “Chammy1” Nazarrea’s Biron spearheaded a decisive Game 2 victory, followed by Justin Ritchie “Juschie” Tan’s stellar Luna performance in Game 3. Chammy1 then solidified Blacklist’s lead in Game 4 with Mi Yue, putting them on match point at 3-1.
With their backs against the wall, BOOM Esports mounted an incredible comeback. KARLLL once again became the X-factor, delivering a masterful Luna performance in Game 5 that kept BOOM’s hopes alive. Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo then stepped up in Game 6, utilizing his signature Arli pick to tally three kills and two assists, forcing a decisive Game 7 under Ultimate Battle rules.
In the climactic final game, BOOM Esports capitalized on Blacklist International’s risky picks. Chammy1’s Sun Ce and Juschie’s Luna struggled, combining for eight deaths. BOOM seized the opportunity, closing out the game in a swift 14 minutes, securing their maiden PKL title and sparking jubilant celebrations. KARLLL was deservingly hailed as the Finals MVP for his consistent, game-changing plays throughout the series.
BOOM Esports’ Redemption Arc
The championship win was particularly sweet for BOOM Esports, as it marked a true redemption arc. Despite a strong start to the 2024 season, they had agonizingly missed out on the Honor of Kings Invitational Season 3 held in the Philippines last February. Their PKL journey also saw a slow start, suffering two losses in the first two weeks of the league.
However, the Hungry Beasts regained their momentum, stringing together four consecutive wins before dropping a couple more matches against ACT Esports Club and Blacklist International, ultimately ending the group stages as the second seed with a 10-4 standing.
In the playoffs, BOOM navigated a challenging path, initially falling to Rough World Kadiliman before adapting quickly and taking three consecutive games to secure their spot in the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025. Their Upper Bracket finals against Blacklist International was a hard-fought 3-2 loss that forced them into the lower bracket, where they faced ACT Esports Club. Despite a Game 1 setback, BOOM adapted once more, taking three consecutive games to earn their rematch against Blacklist International.
A Bright Future: Kings World Cup Awaits
The inaugural PKL provided an electric platform for Filipino Honor of Kings talent, culminating in a memorable grand final. BOOM Esports took home the championship trophy and PHP 390,000+, while Blacklist International, as worthy runners-up, claimed PHP 270,000+.
Now, the focus shifts to the global stage. BOOM Esports, Blacklist International, and ACT Esports Club will proudly represent the Philippines at the highly anticipated Kings World Cup in Riyadh this July. There, they will face off against 15 other elite international squads in the first global Honor of Kings tournament under the prestigious Esports World Cup banner, ready to prove the strength of Filipino Honor of Kings on the world stage.
