TI Qualification Matches In The Upper Bracket - Bali Major Playoffs Day 1

The Upper Bracket of any S Tier tournament is always entertaining to watch. Still, the first day of playoffs in the Bali Major is made more interesting as multiple teams have qualified for The International through the round one matches of the Upper Bracket. Here is a recap of what happened on Day 1 of the Bali Major playoffs!

Team Liquid vs. PSG.LGD

Unfortunately, PSG.LGD missed their chance to directly qualify for The International after a 2-1 loss to Team Liquid.

Game 1 of the series was highly entertaining, with back-and-forth team fights. PSG.LGD took an 8,000 net worth lead at 31 minutes, but Team Liquid struck back. After a grueling 55 minutes, Team Liquid finally took the first game. 

In the second game of the series, Team Liquid destroyed the laning stage and built up a 3,000 net worth lead at 9 minutes. It looked like this series would be a quick 2-0. However, some great map movements from NothingToSay’s Primal Beast helped stall the game for shiro’s Phantom Lancer to find farm. With shiro’s item timings, PSG.LGD was able to turn the game around and win in 34 minutes.

Unfortunately, Dota fans didn’t get a close Game 3 decider. Team Liquid stomped PSG.LGD, forcing the Chinese team to call GG at 33 minutes.

BetBoom vs. Tundra Esports

BetBoom won an important series against Tundra Esports to book their tickets to Seattle.

In the first game, both teams were even in net worth until BetBoom turned the game in their favor in the 25th minute. After a team fight win, the Eastern European squad snowballed their way to a 35-minute win.

Game 2 was one of the most entertaining games of the Bali Major so far. The BetBoom team looked to close the series with an 18,000 net worth lead at 41 minutes. However, Nine’s Rubick stole Proximity Mines and killed Nightfall’s Morphling. After this incident, the game went into chaos, and nobody knew what would happen. The game ended up going all the way to 104 minutes, where BetBoom could pull off a Mega Creep comeback thanks to gpk’s Snapfire, who carried three Divine Rapiers. 

Beastcoast vs. Gaimin Gladiators

Beastcoast is another team that failed to secure their TI invite in the Upper Bracket after losing to the best team in the world. Parker and the team must make a deep run through the Lower Bracket.

Gaimin Gladiators were surprised by a 24th pick Meepo in the hands of Parker in the first game. The Gladiators had no answer for the Meepo, and Beastcoast won a convincing Game 1.

However, Gaimin Gladiators wouldn’t let the South American team get to TI so easily. Quinn and Seleri paired up with their Leshrac + Io combo in the second and third game, pulling off the reverse sweep to deny the upset. 

Team Aster vs. Quest Esports

This particular matchup was crucial for both teams, as they have yet to secure their invites to the most prominent esports tournament of the year. Quest came out victorious, and despite being very low on DPC points, they still have the chance of directly qualifying for The International if they win the Bali Major.

The first game was a total stomp by Quest, with all three of their core heroes finding massive impact. Team Aster had no response and had to tap out 32 minutes in. However, the Chinese team returned the favor, as SumaiL had an exemplary performance on Ember Spirit to force a third game.

The deciding game felt like Team Aster was bound to take it, as they built up a 9,000 net worth lead at 22 minutes and claimed an entire lane of barracks. However, TA2000’s Medusa got his core items, and Team Aster’s draft wasn’t suited to deal with the Snake Lady. Quest turned the game 180 degrees and closed the game at 38. 

Similarly to Beastcoast, Team Aster must make a miracle Lower Bracket run, or they’ll have to face fellow Chinese teams in the regional qualifiers to make it to The International.