Boom Esports Suffers First Local Series Loss in McDonald’s Tempest Cup

Boom Esports has been the most dominant team in the Philippine Honor of Kings scene since the game's launch. They have never lost a single series in any local tournament, whether it be grassroots events or major competitions like the HOK Invitational and HOK Championship.

Their experience playing on Chinese servers for over a year before the game's local release has given them a major advantage over newer teams. However, their reign of dominance finally came to an end during the McDonald’s Tempest Cup. It is where they suffered their first local series loss against xAlt, a team on a mission for redemption.

Boom’s Local Dominance

Boom Esports has built a legacy of dominance in the Philippine Honor of Kings scene. From smaller grassroots tournaments to major competitions, Boom has always stood at the top, securing first place without fail.

Their deep understanding of the game, thanks to their experience playing on the Chinese servers before Honor of Kings was officially released in the Philippines, set them apart from other teams. Boom’s success can be attributed to this early experience. It gave them an edge in mechanics, strategies, and knowledge of the meta. This allowed them to outplay teams that were still adjusting to the game.

Despite their unparalleled success in local tournaments, Boom Esports has struggled when facing international opponents. Their highest finish in an international competition was 9th place, often falling short during the group stages.

This contrast between their local dominance and international challenges highlights the gap between the level of competition in the Philippines and other regions. While Boom has been virtually unbeatable on home soil. Their inability to consistently perform on the global stage shows that there are still areas where the team can improve.

Game 1: Surprising Picks and a Tactical Downfall

In Game 1 of their series against xAlt, Boom Esports made surprising hero choices by prioritizing Dun, Fuzi, and Yaria. These picks were unexpected because they are not considered high-priority in the current meta. Additionally, none of them received significant buffs or changes in the latest patch.

On the other hand, xAlt capitalized on the recently buffed Han Xin and Diao Chan, paired with Liu Bang’s map-wide ultimate, “Battlefield Command,” which helped them control fights across the map. Early in the game, Boom Esports managed to hold their ground, equalizing kills at 3-3. However, xAlt’s superior macro play soon began to tilt the game in their favor.

One of the key factors in xAlt's Game 1 victory was Blazey's split-pushing Han Xin. Boom Esports had a hard time containing him due to their lack of crowd control. This allowed Blazey to constantly push top lane while the rest of xAlt took control of objectives and pressured the mid and bot lanes.

As Boom struggled to deal with this split-push pressure, xAlt gradually took down all of Boom's towers, leaving Boom with no map control. In a desperate attempt to contest the Overlord, Boom found themselves out of position. Fleur and Darfinn from xAlt capitalized on this moment and swiftly destroyed Boom's crystal, giving xAlt the first game win.

Game 2: A Close Battle Turned Upside Down

Game 2 played out differently, as Boom Esports tried to turn the tide with stronger picks. Mozi on Impressive and Miggie on Allain aimed to stabilize the game for Boom. However, xAlt stuck to their winning formula with Liu Bang and Han Xin.

Early on, xAlt secured a 4k gold lead and used their macro play to chip away at Boom's defenses by focusing on tower takedowns and map control. However, at the 7:52 mark, things started to turn in Boom's favor, as Azar, playing Arli, became a major threat to xAlt. His impressive kills allowed Boom to close the gold gap and take back control of the game.

The two teams continuously clashed in intense fights, but neither side could secure a decisive advantage to finish the game. At the 14-minute mark, Boom Esports seemed to have won a game-winning fight, but a misplay from Miggie allowed xAlt to bounce back. From that point on, xAlt regained control, taking down Boom's third-tier turret in the top lane.

The final fight in the bot lane sealed the game for xAlt. They managed to take down Azar first, leaving Boom with no damage output. xAlt's smart positioning and ability to trap Boom in the center of the fight left Boom with no escape, and one by one, Boom's players fell, resulting in xAlt's victory and Boom's first-ever local series loss.

A New Chapter for the Philippine HOK Scene

Boom Esports' loss to xAlt in the McDonald's Tempest Cup marks a historic moment in the Philippine Honor of Kings scene. For the first time, Boom's dominance was challenged by a local team, signaling a potential shift in the competitive landscape.

xAlt's victory not only gave them redemption from their previous performance but also paved the way for other teams to believe that they too can compete with Boom. In the early days of the game, Boom was seen as unbeatable. But, this defeat shows that the gap between teams is closing.

With the professional league on the horizon, this series loss could be the spark that ignites a more competitive and exciting future for Honor of Kings in the Philippines. Boom will need to adapt and evolve if they want to maintain their place at the top.

However, teams like xAlt have shown that they are more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the country's best. The stage is set for a thrilling new chapter in Philippine esports. Moreover, the McDonald's Tempest Cup may have just been the beginning.

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