5 Points Away from Glory: DN FREECS' Heartbreaking Second Place Finish at PGS 8

The Heartbreaking 5-Point Gap: DN FREECS' Journey at PGS 8

In a nail-biting finale to the PUBG Global Series 8 (PGS 8) held in Shanghai, China from May 16-18, 2025, DN FREECS (DNF) came agonizingly close to claiming the championship title, ultimately finishing second by just 5 points. The Korean powerhouse accumulated 135 points (including 82 kill points) across 18 matches, showcasing their exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. However, it wasn't quite enough to secure the top spot, which went to European team BB (BetBoom), who made a remarkable final-day surge to claim the championship.

This marks DNF's second consecutive runner-up finish in PGS competitions, following their narrow 12-point defeat to China's 17 Gaming in PGS 7. For a team that has dominated the domestic scene in Korea, these international near-misses are becoming a painful pattern that the squad will be eager to break in future competitions.

Day-by-Day Breakdown: How the Tournament Unfolded

The Grand Finals of PGS 8 featured 16 elite teams competing across 18 matches over three days. DN FREECS started the tournament with impressive momentum, securing chicken dinners (first-place finishes) on both Day 1 and Day 2. Their aggressive yet calculated playstyle allowed them to accumulate 97 points by the end of the second day, putting them at the top of the leaderboard.

Day 1 saw DNF establish themselves as serious contenders with consistent placements and eliminations. Their first chicken dinner came with a masterful zone control strategy that forced opponents into unfavorable positions. The squad's rotations were particularly noteworthy, as they consistently secured advantageous compounds ahead of zone shifts.

On Day 2, DNF continued their strong performance with another chicken dinner, further cementing their position at the top of the standings. Their point accumulation was steady and impressive, building what seemed like a comfortable lead heading into the final day.

The Final Day Collapse: Where Championship Dreams Faded

Despite entering the final day as tournament leaders with 97 points, DNF's performance on Day 3 fell short of expectations. Across the six matches played on May 18th, the team failed to secure any chicken dinners and added only 38 points to their total. This relatively modest point gain opened the door for other teams to challenge their position.

BB team, who had been lurking in third place after Day 2, seized this opportunity with remarkable effectiveness. The European squad had no chicken dinners in the first two days but exploded on the final day with one chicken dinner and consistently high placements, accumulating an impressive 50 points. This surge propelled them from third to first place, overtaking DNF by just 5 points in the final standings.

The moment when DNF realized they had lost the championship by such a narrow margin was captured on the broadcast, showing the visible disappointment on the faces of Gyumin, Heaven, Salute, and DIEL as they processed how close they had come to glory.

The Korean Contingent: T1 and Baegopa's Performance

While DN FREECS' second-place finish was the highlight for Korean fans, two other teams from the region also competed in the Grand Finals. T1, another strong Korean contender, secured a chicken dinner on Day 1 and remained in championship contention throughout much of the tournament. They added 30 points on the final day but couldn't match the pace of the frontrunners, ultimately finishing in a respectable 4th place with solid performances throughout.

Team Baegopa, the third Korean qualifier, had a more challenging tournament, finishing 15th overall with 79 points. Despite some flashes of brilliance and individual skill displays, they couldn't find the consistency needed to compete at the highest level of this international competition.

The overall performance of Korean teams at PGS 8 demonstrated the region's strength in PUBG esports, with two teams finishing in the top 4, continuing Korea's reputation as one of the premier regions in competitive PUBG.

The Dream Team That Can't Quite Reach the Summit

DN FREECS has earned the moniker of "Korea's Dream Team" for good reason. The squad consisting of 'Gyumin' Sim Gyu-min, 'Heaven' Kim Tae-sung, 'Salute' Woo Je-hyun, and 'DIEL' Kim Jin-hyun has been virtually unstoppable in domestic competition. They dominated Korean tournaments throughout 2024 and continued their regional supremacy into 2025, most recently with an overwhelming victory in PWS: Phase 1.

Their domestic dominance makes their international near-misses all the more frustrating. Despite their clear talent and coordination, DNF seems to have an unfortunate relationship with global competitions. The team's playstyle, characterized by aggressive rotations and exceptional zone control, translates well to the international stage, but they've now twice fallen just short of claiming a major global title.

A detailed analysis of DNF's gameplay from their PWS: Phase 1 victory highlights their methodical approach to build-up phases and territory control. Their rotations are calculated and precise, allowing them to secure advantageous positions consistently. This strategic foundation serves them well, but the final hurdle of converting their advantages into championship victories on the global stage remains elusive.

BB Team: The Unexpected Champions

The tournament champions, BB team from Europe, demonstrated remarkable resilience and timing in their championship run. After a relatively quiet first two days, they exploded when it mattered most. Their final day performance was spearheaded by Moldovan player 'Mordock' Nikita Odobescu, whose breakthrough plays and sharpshooting proved decisive in securing crucial points.

BB's victory represents another chapter in the increasingly global nature of PUBG esports, where teams from various regions can rise to claim major championships. Following 17 Gaming's victory for China in PGS 7, BB's triumph for Europe in PGS 8 demonstrates the competitive balance across regions in professional PUBG.

The European champions finished with 140 points, just enough to edge out DN FREECS' 135. Team Falcons from the Americas secured third place with 134 points, highlighting just how close the competition was at the top of the standings.

Fan Reactions and Community Response

The Korean PUBG community's reaction to DNF's second consecutive runner-up finish has been a mixture of pride and disappointment. Fans on platforms like DCInside and FM Korea have expressed frustration at coming so close yet again, with many pointing to the final day's performance as the critical factor in the team falling short.

One popular comment noted: "Five points... just one more good fight and we could have been champions. So heartbreaking to see our boys come this close twice in a row."

Others have maintained a positive outlook, praising the team's overall performance and expressing confidence that a major international title is inevitable given their consistent high placements. "Two second places in a row means they're consistently among the best in the world. The championship will come soon enough," read another highly-upvoted comment.

The team's social media posts following the tournament have received an outpouring of supportive messages, with fans rallying behind DNF as they look ahead to future competitions.

Looking Ahead: The Road Forward for DN FREECS

Despite the disappointment of another near-miss, DN FREECS' future remains bright. The 2025 competitive PUBG calendar still has several major events remaining, including two more PGS tournaments, the Saudi e-sports World Cup (EWC), and the PUBG Global Championship (PGC).

These upcoming competitions provide DNF with multiple opportunities to break their international championship drought. Given their consistent high-level performances and domestic dominance, they remain among the favorites for these tournaments.

The team's social media accounts have already expressed gratitude to fans for their support throughout PGS 8, with a simple message: "PGS 8 Runner-up. Thank you to all the fans who cheered for us. #GODNF #DNFWIN." This forward-looking attitude suggests the team is already focusing on their next opportunity to claim an international title.

For now, DN FREECS will return to Korea to regroup and prepare for their next challenge, carrying with them the valuable experience gained from another deep run in a major international tournament. The five-point margin that separated them from glory will undoubtedly serve as motivation as they continue their quest to be recognized not just as Korea's best, but as the world's premier PUBG team.