The International 2025: Nemesis eliminated, Chinese teams dominate

The International 2025 witnessed the first casualty of the world’s biggest Dota 2 event, with Southeast Asia’s Team Nemesis bowing out after a brutal run through the group stage. The all-Filipino squad endured three straight match defeats, winning just two games overall, before being swept 2-0 by regional rivals BOOM Esports in Friday’s elimination match.

Nemesis’ campaign showed glimmers of promise early. They pushed Western Europe’s Team Falcons to a deciding third game in Round 1, with the final map stretching to a grueling 70 minutes. Their resilience surfaced again in Round 2, where they extended China’s Yakutou Brothers to three games.

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However, from there, momentum collapsed. They were overpowered by North America’s Wildcard and swept aside by BOOM in a decisive clash where Eljohn “Akashi” Andales’ Ursa was completely neutralized by Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong’s Axe in the opener. BOOM never looked back, dominating both games in under 30 minutes to send their fellow SEA representatives home.

The elimination underscored a painful reality for Southeast Asia. With Nemesis gone and BOOM clinging to life at 1-3, the region faces the prospect of missing out on the playoffs entirely. Even BOOM’s victory comes with little comfort, as they now face another do-or-die match in Round 5.

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While SEA faltered, China soared. Day 2 of the group stage belonged to Xtreme Gaming and Team Tidebound, both of whom stormed to perfect 3-0 records. XG outlasted Team Falcons in a series of marathon matches, while Tidebound dismantled Eastern European favorites PARIVISION in back-to-back stomps.

Meanwhile, Yakutou Brothers bounced back from an earlier sweep by Aurora Gaming to edge past Nigma Galaxy in three games, securing their place in the elimination stage.

The contrast between regions could not be starker. China now looks poised to reestablish their dominance on Dota’s biggest stage, with all three of their teams advancing. By contrast, Southeast Asia’s representation has already been cut in half, and BOOM Esports must fight tooth and nail to avoid joining Nemesis on the early flight home.