[CN] Ace Xero Reign Supreme, TL Narrowly Secure Berlin

Connections at the 2025 Chinese Mainland Finals

March 22 marked not only the second Monthly Finals of the BSC China region, but also the decisive event determining qualification for the Brawl Cup. Unlike other regions, the China Monthly Finals bracket is not seeded based on qualifier rankings; instead, teams are randomly drawn into the bracket. This format resulted in a death bracket in the upper bracket this month, where multiple title contenders were grouped together.

Most notably, last month’s finalists, Toxic Lotus (TL) and Ace Xero (AXR), were drawn into the same side and met in the semifinals, adding significant uncertainty to the race for Brawl Cup qualification.

Quarterfinals

Under intense competitive pressure, TL opened the stage with a dominant 3-0 sweep over IRIS OUT. Despite brief attempts to respond, IRIS OUT were ultimately unable to challenge the long-standing CN BS powerhouse that has maintained dominance for three years. The following match featured Ace Xero versus TOC, a rematch of last month’s dramatic reverse sweep semifinal. While expectations pointed toward another close series, AXR demonstrated clear improvements in both bp and individual execution, securing a 3-1 victory and showcasing their continued evolution.

Next came ESF versus “吴水水俱乐部.” While the team name may have been unfamiliar, the roster featured well-known players. ESF retained most of the lineup from last month’s semifinalist, Reverso Hive, replacing only lightstar with expression. Meanwhile, “吴水水俱乐部” was the only team not present in last month’s top eight, featuring LCQ veterans Goodnight and 10kyears. Notably, after multiple transfer rumors, the third member was confirmed as caicaini, who had previously been disqualified from “素菜击” due to failing a Fair Play Check.

In a closely contested series with constant momentum swings, “吴水水俱乐部” capitalized on key moments and completed an upset victory, defeating ESF 3-2.

The final quarterfinal match saw TIG Revival face Nihilum. While TIG maintained their roster, Nihilum retained their rising talent “冷饮” despite transfer rumors involving Goodnight. Their third player “李风” was replaced by former REV player lightstar. Although individual games were closely contested, Nihilum demonstrated superior adaptability and timely strategic adjustments, ultimately securing a decisive 3-0 win.

Semifinals

The headline matchup of the semifinals featured Toxic Lotus against Ace Xero—a rematch of last month’s grand final. The key question was whether TL could reclaim their championship form, or if AXR would continue their momentum and solidify their position as the new dominant force.

TL started strong, leveraging stable laning fundamentals to take the opening knockout set. However, AXR quickly adapted, showcasing more refined drafting and execution to secure both gem grab and heist, turning the series to 2-1 in their favor. The fourth set moved to bounty, a mode traditionally favorable for TL. AXR attempted to avoid direct lane matchups by selecting Ollie, but the strategy proved ineffective, allowing TL to even the score at 2-2 and force a deciding set.

The final set delivered one of the most intense series in CN BS history. In the first game, neither team managed to score, with the match remaining tied even after overtime. In the second game, both teams traded goals before AXR capitalized in overtime to take the lead. TL responded under immense pressure in the third game, scoring in overtime to level the set once again.

With the series reaching “赛点中的赛点,” the final tie breaker game pushed both teams to their limits. In the closing moments, AXR demonstrated superior composure and mechanical precision, scoring the decisive goal with just 10 seconds remaining on the clock. They closed out the series 3-2, eliminating TL and advancing to the grand final.

The second semifinal was far less contested. Nihilum delivered a clean and efficient performance, defeating “吴水水俱乐部” 3-0. “冷饮” once again proved his individual value, reinforcing the earlier transfer interest surrounding him. Alongside Story and Lightstar, the team showed strong synergy and consistency, securing their place in the Monthly Finals grand final.

Grand Final

The grand final featured Ace Xero against Nihilum. Carrying their momentum from the semifinals, AXR quickly took control of the series, winning gem grab, knockout, and Hot Zone in succession. Their execution across all phases—from early control to late-game team fights—left little room for Nihilum to respond. Ace Xero ultimately secured a clean 3-0 victory, claiming the Monthly Finals championship and successfully defending their title.

Ace Xero and Toxic Lotus qualify to Brawl Cup in Berlin this May!

Closing Thoughts

With the conclusion of this Monthly Finals, Ace Xero (Galaxy, David, Tide) have successfully defended their championship, delivering a consistent and dominant performance that confirms their previous title was no fluke. Their victory signals a clear shift in the competitive landscape of the CN BS region. This event also finalized the China region standings ahead of the Brawl Cup. Ace Xero are now sat firmly at the top with 120 points, holding a lead nearly double that of second-place Toxic Lotus, highlighting their commanding position.

Ace Xero and Toxic Lotus have now officially secured their spots at the Brawl Cup. As representatives of the China region, their upcoming performances on the international stage will be closely watched. Here is the updated regional leaderboard: