DRX's Revenge: HYUNMIN and MaKo Lead the Way to a 2-0 Victory Over T1
The Anticipated Rematch: DRX vs T1 in VCT 2025 Pacific Stage 1
The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) 2025 Pacific Stage 1 playoffs delivered one of the most anticipated matchups on April 26, 2025, as DRX faced off against T1 in the upper bracket quarterfinals. This wasn't just any match-it was a revenge opportunity for DRX after their disappointing 0-2 loss to T1 at Masters Bangkok earlier this year. The Korean rivalry has been building throughout the 2025 season, with DRX holding a historical advantage of 6-1 in their previous encounters before T1's breakthrough victory at Bangkok.
The stakes couldn't have been higher as both teams aimed to secure their path to the next international tournament. DRX entered the match ranked #5 globally according to Strafe rankings, while T1 sat at #15-but rankings meant little in this heated rivalry that has consistently produced close, overtime-filled battles.
Map 1: Lotus - A Nail-Biting Overtime Victory
The series opened on Lotus with an incredibly tense battle that pushed both teams to their limits. DRX managed to secure a narrow 15-13 victory in overtime, showcasing their mental fortitude and tactical adaptability.
DRX's defense started somewhat shakily, securing only 6 rounds in the first half against T1's 8 rounds on attack. However, their attack side showed remarkable improvement with 9 rounds won, compared to T1's 5 defensive rounds.
HYUNMIN on Raze was a standout performer for DRX, racking up 23 kills with an ACS of 246. His aggressive entry plays created crucial space for his team. MaKo's Omen performance was equally impressive with 24 kills, demonstrating his versatility as both a support player and fragger when needed. T1's BuZz put up a valiant fight on Yoru with 24 kills, but his efforts weren't enough to secure the map for his team.
Map 2: Fracture - DRX Completes the Sweep
The second map on Fracture proved to be another nail-biter, with DRX ultimately prevailing 14-12 to complete the 2-0 sweep. The map followed a similar pattern to Lotus, with DRX securing 6 rounds on defense before claiming 8 on attack to seal the victory.
Once again, HYUNMIN shined brightly, this time on Neon, accumulating 24 kills with an impressive ACS of 277. His speed and entry capabilities were crucial in breaking open T1's defense. MaKo continued his stellar performance on Brimstone with 20 kills and 18 assists, demonstrating exceptional utility usage that created advantageous situations for his teammates.
T1's Sylvan tried to rally his team with 18 kills and 17 assists on Brimstone, while iZu contributed 21 kills on Tejo. However, BuZz-typically T1's star player-struggled significantly with only 14 kills and an ACS of 139, well below his usual standards.
The Key Players: HYUNMIN and MaKo Lead the Charge
HYUNMIN emerged as the undisputed star of the series, delivering consistent high-impact performances across both maps. With a combined 47 kills and exceptional entry statistics, he created the space DRX needed to execute their strategies effectively. His aggressive playstyle on both Raze and Neon proved to be a nightmare for T1 to handle.
MaKo, often considered the backbone of DRX, showcased why he's regarded as one of the best controller players in the world. His 44 kills and 27 assists across the series highlighted his dual threat as both a fragger and support player. His utility usage was particularly noteworthy, creating advantageous situations for his teammates while denying crucial information to T1.
For T1, BuZz had a mixed series. While he performed admirably on Lotus with 24 kills, his struggles on Fracture (14 kills, 139 ACS) significantly hampered T1's chances of forcing a third map. The inconsistency from their star duelist proved costly in such a high-stakes match.
Fan Reactions: Community Celebrates DRX's Return to Form
The Korean Valorant community erupted with excitement following DRX's victory. On platforms like DCInside and Naver, fans celebrated what many viewed as a return to form for the team that had dominated the Pacific region in previous tournaments.
One popular comment that gained significant traction read: "DRX bros, we are so back," capturing the sentiment of relief and excitement among the fanbase. Another fan humorously adapted a popular copypasta about DRX's tendency to win in overtime: "In our Valorant matches, we often see a pattern of 2-1 in overtime. That's the essence of my 2025 DRX-a solid, dependable team in the realm of 2-1 overtime matches."
T1 supporters, while disappointed, remained optimistic about their team's lower bracket potential. One fan commented: "IT'S OKAY THIS WAS ALL SCRIPTED CAUSE T1 ARE GONNA TAKE A LOWER BRACKET RUN TO TORONTO," showcasing the unwavering faith in their team despite the setback.
The Rivalry Context: A Season of Back-and-Forth
The DRX-T1 rivalry has been one of the most compelling narratives of the 2025 VCT Pacific season. Their journey began at the Pacific Kickoff tournament, where DRX defeated T1 2-1 in the upper bracket before securing a thrilling 3-2 victory in the grand finals to claim the championship.
T1 got their revenge at Masters Bangkok, defeating DRX 2-0 in a surprising upset that many attributed to DRX's mental collapse under pressure. As one Reddit commenter noted after that match: "To be frank, DRX simply fell apart when faced with the pressure. It's evident that their confidence waned during the latter stages."
This latest victory for DRX not only evens the score for the Bangkok defeat but also reestablishes them as the premier Korean team in the Pacific division. With a head-to-head record now standing at 7-1 in favor of DRX, they've reasserted their dominance in this regional rivalry.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Both Teams
With this victory, DRX advances in the upper bracket of the VCT Pacific Stage 1 playoffs, positioning themselves favorably for qualification to the next international event. Their performance suggests they've overcome the mental hurdles that plagued them at Masters Bangkok, potentially setting them up for a deeper run in upcoming tournaments.
For T1, the loss sends them to the lower bracket where they'll face an elimination match. Despite the setback, there are positive takeaways-particularly the continued solid performances from players like Sylvan, who many fans believe is a significant upgrade over Carpe in the team's lineup.
As the VCT Pacific Stage 1 continues, both teams remain in contention for qualification to the next international event. However, DRX's path is now considerably smoother, while T1 must navigate the treacherous waters of the lower bracket without any further missteps.
This rivalry is far from over, and if the pattern of their previous encounters is any indication, we may well see these two Korean powerhouses clash again on an even bigger stage in the near future.