January in Shanghai was cold, but Baoshan ShenglinMALLThe atmosphere at the esports arena was exceptionally enthusiastic.
1month10th-1month11th, having been held continuously for8years of FreeStyleFSPL, the Grand Finals at Baoshan ShenglinMALLesports arena. This time, the top four teams will not only represent China in the upcomingIMAInternational Masters Grand Finals, facing off against the Korean team in the ultimate showdown, with the champion also receiving25yuan in prize money. Moreover, this is the first20anniversaryFSPL, of great significance.
During this season's regular stage,FSPLwith"Fearless Battle, Competing for the Peak"as the theme, since last10month18started on the12concluded in mid-month, spanning8weeks ofBO3Round-Robin League. Notably, this tournament is divided for the first time into"Professional Division"and"Rising Stars Division"two divisions: Professional Division teams showcased"stable and efficient"mature style, while the Rising Stars division relied on"fearless and aggressive"momentum repeatedly creating highlights. This setup not only reflects the evolution of the tournament system but also confirms the enduring vitality of FreeStyle, this evergreen game, in esports and its player community.
Among the qualifying teams, UNKNOWNContinuing the Demon King's undefeated streak to lead strongly, with a core roster honed over three years of synergy, combining interior dominance with exterior firepower, they are the top favorites for the championship; the veteran powerhouse"Black Hole" employed flexible tactics, excelling in fast breaks, with strength and heritage holding their own; in the Rising Stars division,EHOMERising Stars surged ahead, while the dark horse teamPSGThe Rising Stars relied on "Team Basketball+ Rising Power" unique playstyle, staging a comeback all the way. There were also the sharp-playing Trouble team, the solid-defendingPSGProfessional Division, the imaginative Ultimate, and the不可忽视 Yaoshi, together forming the lineup for the Top 8 contention.
The Grand Finals adopted a double-elimination format, with the first day's Winners' Bracket8into2( 6matchesBO5), Losers' Bracket Round 1 (2matchesBO5), the next day's Winners' Bracket Final (1matchesBO5), Losers' Bracket4into1(4matchesBO5). The Winners' Bracket team in the Grand Finals will have a small point advantage,BO7first take4points will lift theFSPL2025annual championship.
In the first round of the Quarterfinals, three3:0,UNKNOWNdid not givePSGany chance,Ultimate Team easily defeated3games, while Black Hole stood in the way ofPSGin front of the Rising Stars, showcasing the depth of a veteran team with sheer strength. The most thrilling match came from Yaoshi versusEHOMERising Stars Clash:EHOMEThe rising stars surprisingly took the first two games to reach match point, but Yaoshi fought back stubbornly, winning three consecutive games to complete an extreme "reverse sweep from 0-2 down."
In the end, a seemingly destined moment arrived,EHMOEThe newcomers will facePSG. These two teams, which hold significant meaning for early Chinese esports, met again after many years. The familiar "dad" (PSGpredecessor ofLGD) "mom" (EHOMEreferred to by the community asEThe battle between the "stepmother" teams resumed.
EHOMENewcomers andPSGteam's first matchEHOMEThe newcomers won,pressed their advantage to take the second game. But just when everyone thoughtPSGWhen all hope seemed lost, that distant past characterized by "comebacks" saw "LGD" seemed to be possessed, winning three consecutive games and completing a magnificent comeback.
And this match process can almost be considered a microcosm of the first round of the losers' bracket and the second round of the winners' bracket, with closely matched strength bringing"intense struggle," causing even veteran teams to suffer greatly. Ultimately, after a series of3:1,3:2score,UNKNOWN, Black Hole, Yaoshi, Trouble, Extreme, andPSGteams advanced to the second day's finals.
On the second day of competition, it ultimately came from the losers' bracket"Yaoshi," emerging from the "pile of bones," climbed up to face "Black Hole." As a team not favored before the match, their "fight if you disagree" attitude made the star players of Black Hole break into a cold sweat. Especially in the second quarter, the game went into double overtime, forcing thePGXiao Wu Li's heart rate soared to149times/points, stepping up in the final moments3point buzzer-beater, relieving some pressure for the team.
Fought until the5quarter, "Yaoshi" fought "Black Hole" to2-2. The game ended with just6seconds remaining, A-Chen from Shengshi hit a three-pointer, "Yaoshi"As long as they protected their lead as they did in regular training, they could secure the victory before them. However, Xiao Wu Li displayed his qualities as a star player at this moment, seemingly entering"ZOO" state, he decisively judgedCandPFhad all passing lanes blocked, decisively dribbled, broke through, and made a layup, accompanied by the crisp sound of the ball swishing through the net—
"Every time it's me!!" Xiao Wu Li stood up with a clenched fist, his voice echoing throughout the arena.
Finally, it was"Black Hole" versus "UNKNOWN". Just like in the previous SFSA National Leagueof"Wuhan Team" challenging "Nanjing Team," once again "Xiao Wu Li" stood before "Absolute Value." Much like one of the most debated topics in the NBA community about who is the greatest PG in history, "Xiao Wu Li" and "Absolute Value," this pair ofIn the "FreeStyle" tournamentThe PG twins, also seen by commentators as rivals of the same caliber—if it weren't for "Absolute Value," "Xiao Wu Li" could have displayed even more dominant control.
In fact, there was an exhibition match before the first day's competition, with teams formed by player-voted lineups,"Xiao Wu Li" also encountered his arch-rival. However, just like the regrettable result of the exhibition match, in the grand finals, "Xiao Wu Li's" "Black Hole" once again lost to the team led by "Absolute Value,""UNKNOWN".
Although atAt the 0:3 match point, they first tied the game in overtime, then "Xiao Wu Li" stepped up again to hit a three-pointer and save the team. However, they were ultimately unable to shake the dominance of the "Great Demon King,""UNKNOWN" successfully defended their title, claiming the championship once again.
After the match,From the "UNKNOWN" team,Langjun thanked his teammates, audience, organizers, and sponsors for their support. Xingye stated that the strength of each team this year was close, making it difficult to win the championship. And"Absolute Value" specifically mentioned"Xiao Wu Li":My opponent Xiao Wu Li is aPG, winning against him this time was very difficult."
Xingye alsoCueto their arch-rival, Tian Yi from the "Black Hole" team:
"I enjoyed being your opponent. The future is yours, but right now, we are the champions."
Mutual competition and mutual recognition—I believe this is the charm of esports. The grudges and rivalries of veteran teams, the sudden rise of new forces, those who went to internet cafes during summer vacation back in the dayFSerNow many have become parents, but "FreeStyle" in those internet cafes seems never to have aged, continuing to explore the possibilities of esports through professional tournaments.
Afterwards,FSPLThe top four in the finals, which is"UNKNOWN", "Black Hole","Yaoshi", "Extreme"will represent China in the upcomingIMAInternational Masters Grand Finals, facing off against the Korean team in the ultimate showdown. May they continue last year's good performance and strive for honor on the international stage.
