This news comes at a difficult time. According to Sheep Esports sources, Dastan "dos9" Zhumagali is departing BOOM Esports to pursue opportunities with other Tier 1 teams. The Kazakh controller player had statistically been the team’s standout performer this year, recording a 1.19 rating during Stage 1 of the VCT Pacific — the third-highest across the entire league. Even in Stage 2, the Omen main maintained stronger numbers than his teammates, finishing with a 1.06 rating.
Losing dos9 is a significant blow for BOOM Esports — the team is now heading into
the Ascension tournament putting its place in the VCT Pacific at risk once again. Despite narrowly losing the final of the 2024 promotion event, BOOM secured a slot in the top regional league
because of the last-second financial collapse of Bleed Esports.
A disastrous Stage 2
BOOM’s first season competing a Tier 1 level was turbulent. Eliminated from the Kickoff without a single victory, the team rebounded in Stage 1 by dominating its group with a flawless 5–0 record, defeating Paper Rex, Gen.G, and DRX. Their playoffs run unraveled just as quickly, however, with BOOM losing twice in succession and failing to advance a single round. Stage 2 proved even more punishing — the team collapsed in the group stage, finishing with the exact opposite record they'd achieved in Stage 1: five defeats, no wins.
These results were insufficient to secure the organization a guaranteed second season in the league, though they'll still provide one final opportunity to climb back. The Ascension tournament will be held from Oct 13 to 26, with last year’s champion also returning. Nongshim RedForce — after acquiring Sin Prisa Gaming in the aftermath their promotion into the LCP — had a similarly rocky journey attempting to integrate into the VCT Pacific.
Header Photo Credit: Riot Games
