BOOM Esports upset Talon to claim last Southeast Asia slot to TI2025

In what many thought would be an easy ride for Talon Esports, Southeast Asia qualifiers for The International 2025 delivered the biggest upsets of all regions.

Talon Esports’ TI streak came to an end this year after the team got upset back-to-back in the SEA qualifiers upper and lower bracket finals. Team Nemesis were first to qualify for TI after taking Talon down 2-1 in the upper bracket finals. The second upset came at the hands of BOOM Esports, who made almost a full lower bracket run to claim the second slot for SEA.

While Talon have been to all TI editions since the organisation stepped into the Dota 2 space in 2021, BOOM Esports haven’t been able to make the cut for the past few years. Following an unsuccessful qualifier campaign and overall a disastrous 2023 competitive season, the organisation moved to South America. However, the SA BOOM team missed the chance to qualify for TI2024 as well and at the beginning of 2025, BOOM returned to Southeast Asia.

They had a slow start in the current season, but it all started to turn around towards the end of April when SEA veterans Anucha "Jabz" Jirawong and Armel "Armel" Tabios joined the team.

BOOM Esports roster

• Souliya "JaCkky" Khoomphetsavong
• Armel "Armel" Tabios
• Anucha "Jabz" Jirawong
• Timothy "TIMS" Randrup
• Jaunuel "Jaunuel" Arcilla
• coach: Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung

With Jabz and Armel joining in, BOOM have qualified for DreamLeague Season 26, came in second at the Esports World Cup regional qualifiers and now are back to The International stage. Along with Team Nemesis, they will be the only two Southeast Asia teams fighting this year for a shot at the Aegis of Champions.