T1 Sweeps Kiwoom DRX 2-0 as Meteor-BuZz Entry Duo Overwhelms Both Lotus and Breeze
HYUNMIN puts up a series-best 1.28 rating in a losing effort as DRX's defense collapses entirely on the second map — both sides now fall to Play-Ins
T1 needed just two maps to dispatch Kiwoom DRX in their VCT 2026: Pacific Stage 2 group stage clash, riding an explosive start from Meteor and BuZz to a 13-9 win on DRX's own Lotus pick before shutting the door completely on their own Breeze selection, 13-5. DRX's HYUNMIN was the best individual on the server across the series — finishing as overall MVP with a 1.28 rating and 305 ACS — but a stacked first-half deficit on Lotus and a total defensive collapse on Breeze left him without a supporting cast strong enough to turn performance into rounds. The result sends both teams into the Play-Ins bracket against VCL sides, with T1 entering at the quarterfinal round and DRX starting from the upper round.
Kiwoom DRX
The map veto set up a test of identity: DRX banned Haven, T1 banned Ascent, and each side took its own pick — DRX chose Lotus, T1 countered with Breeze. Sunset and Split fell to remaining bans, leaving Summit as an unused decider. On paper, opening on their own pick should have favored DRX. In practice, T1 never let them settle.
T1 came out of the gates on Lotus in control, jumping to an early 0-4 lead punctuated by a patient clutch from Meteor to convert a bonus round. From there, the Meteor-BuZz pairing took over as an entry duo, consistently winning first contact and forcing DRX into reactive defense. By halftime T1 led 9-3, and while HYUNMIN kept DRX's hopes alive with a run of individual clutches, the map state was already broken.
DRX's real adjustment came after the side switch, when free1ng delivered a round-14 ace that pulled the map back into contention. It was too little too late — DRX clawed back six of the final ten rounds but couldn't close the gap built in the first half, and Lotus closed 13-9. On Breeze, T1's answer was structural rather than individual: a defense-first identity that held so well DRX failed to win a single round on that side of the ball all map.
If Lotus was decided by a slow start DRX never recovered from, Breeze was decided in its opening minutes. Meteor swapped into a more aggressive, duelist-style role and made it count instantly, taking four of the map's opening kills and pushing DRX off sites even faster than on Lotus. Combined with a defense that couldn't buy a round, the match was functionally over before the side swap.
Meteor was the series' swing factor, closing with a 43-24-4 statline, a +19 differential, and a series-high 12 first kills — numbers reflecting a player consistently winning the opening duel and dictating pace. BuZz was nearly as vital, posting a 1.25 series rating and an 88% KAST. HYUNMIN's 1.28 rating and 305 ACS were the best of anyone on the server, but with MaKo, free1ng, and yong all finishing with negative round differentials, DRX lacked the depth to convert his brilliance into map wins.
T1 raced to an early 0-4 lead after **Meteor** closed a clutch to convert a bonus round. The Meteor-**BuZz** entry duo then dictated tempo, sending DRX to the half down 3-9 despite **HYUNMIN's** clutch runs. A round-14 ace from **free1ng** sparked a late fightback, but the first-half hole was too deep.
T1's defense was airtight — **DRX won zero rounds on that side all map.** On attack, **Meteor** shifted into an aggressive duelist role, taking four opening kills and pushing sites faster than Lotus. HYUNMIN again led DRX, but MaKo's 0.45 rating reflected a roster with no answer for Meteor's form.
Playoff Picture
Neither team secured a direct playoff spot — T1 finishes 2-3, DRX 1-4. Both move to Play-Ins against VCL sides, T1 at the quarterfinal stage and DRX from the upper round.
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