paiN send MIBR packing
The BLAST Premier Spring Showdown 2023 Americas started yesterday with a Brazilian derby between paiN and MIBR, a matchup not seen since the IEM Rio 2023 North America closed qualifier where MIBR came out on top with a 2-0 win, despite two very close maps.
This series marks paiN's comeback to the server after placing 9-12th in ESL Pro League Season 17, where they defeated Liquid in round one of playoffs, but fell after that to MOUZ. MIBR come to the game after a very successful run on ESL Challenger League Season 44 NA, where they essentially went undefeated, but had to forfeit one match due to a scheduling conflict.
The match started off on Anubis, a map pick that we thought might happen, but as the decider since both teams seemed to favor it. However, MIBR chose it as their first pick, deferring from a pick of Vertigo, which they have had a decent win rate on. The pick would seem to punish MIBR as paiN would show their immense strength and comfortability of the map thanks to a 11-4 CT-side on, what has lately been a T-sided map. paiN would start the second half just a bit slower, but wouldn't let MIBR find their footing as they finished it off 16-9.
It was now paiN's time to get comfortable with their own map pick, but that wouldn't be the easiest thing to do. Despite getting some distance with a 3-1 lead to open the map, MIBR would charge back to secure 7 consecutive rounds and make it a 8-3 scoreline. paiN found some ground, but still fell behind at the half 6-9 after a testy T-side.
The second half would be similar to the first, with the defenses proving to be stronger than the attack of either side. paiN would start to rally back by winning eight of the eleven rounds available in the second half and take a 15-13 lead, but MIBR would not let themselves be swept as they forced it into overtime. Needing two entire rounds of overtime to separate the two, MIBR would strike back and secure the map 22-18.
Deciding how to separate the two, the Brazilians made their way to Vertigo to figure out who was headed home early. For paiN they made it clear early on that they wanted a chance to go to DC by jumping out to a 7-2 lead on their CT-side to start it all off. However, MIBR could not be quelled as they charged back to take the half 8-7.
It was not easy to keep paiN down, however, as they squad rallied on their T-side to take the first five rounds, lose one, and then win the next three to put themselves on match point, where they would eventually take the map 16-10.
paiN now head to face the winner of Liquid v. Nouns which starts later today at 03:30PM.
