99DIVINE vs. The Gatos Guapos | Pacific Stage 2 Grand Finals Shocker
Edited By
Nicolas Dubois
The Overwatch League's Grand Finals on June 19 turned into a major upset as The Gatos Guapos defeated 99DIVINE, shaking expectations. With an unexpected turnaround after 99DIVINE's strong season, the results prompted fans to reconsider assumptions about the competition landscape.
Match Breakdown
The six-map showdown saw dramatic shifts, with each team taking turns dominating. Here’s a quick summary of the series:
Map 1: Nepal
The Gatos Guapos clinched victory 2-0, leading the series 1-0.
Map 2: Suravasa
99DIVINE responded strong with a 3-2 win, leveling the series at 1-1.
Map 3: Watchpoint: Gibraltar
99DIVINE took the lead at 2-1 with a tight 1-0 victory.
Map 4: Runasapi
The Gatos Guapos bounced back, tying the series 2-2.
Map 5: Eichenwalde
The Gatos Guapos moved ahead with a 3-2 victory, leading the series 3-2.
Map 6: Circuit Royal
The Gatos Guapos sealed the deal with a 2-1 win, finalizing the series at 4-2.
Early Insights into the Upset
Fans were shocked by the reversal of fortunes. 99DIVINE, with only three prior map losses in the Pacific this year, faced their first match loss in this series. Some supporters had seen them as a runaway winner for the region.
"Before this game, 99DIVINE lost three maps ALL YEAR in Pacific," noted one commenter, highlighting the surprise element of the match.
Key Player Contributions
Fans are pointing fingers at multiple factors:
Rak's innovative plays: Appeared influential, yet opinions are mixed on his performance, with some saying, "Rak support But he also attack".
Peppi's absence from the Pacific League: The mention of Peppi highlights a perceived gap in 99DIVINE's strategy after losing critical support roles. "I guess not having a main support came back to bite them in this series," mentioned a community member.
Punk's impactful return: Punk's return to The Gatos Guapos was viewed positively, as he topped many game highlights during the finals.
Community Reactions
Fans took to forums with mixed sentiments. Some were ecstatic, while others grappled with disbelief about the outcome. The atmosphere shifted from anticipation to shock as the maps unfolded.
"I was confused at first cause I thought 99DIVINE was the shoe-in for this region, but then I realized Gatos is just the Aussie Contenders core,” one fan shared, emphasizing the disconnect between expectations and reality.
Key Takeaways
✅ 99DIVINE suffered their first match loss in 2025; significant upset.
🔄 The Gatos Guapos doubled their previous map losses in Pacific this season.
🚀 "Before this game, 99DIVINE lost three maps ALL YEAR in Pacific" - user comment highlighting the shocker.
As the dust settles from this match, questions linger. Will this affect how teams approach future matchups in the Overwatch League? Only time will tell.
Forecasting the Next Plays
Following this unexpected shift in the Overwatch League, it's likely that upcoming matches will see teams recalibrating their strategies. Experts estimate there's a strong chance that 99DIVINE will analyze their recent performances closely to address vulnerabilities, particularly in support roles. Given their history, adjustments could lead to a resurgence, but it’s also probable that other teams will sharpen their focus on exploiting similar weaknesses. The Gatos Guapos, riding this momentum, may leverage their recent upswing to maintain strong playoff positioning, suggesting a 70% probability of them making a deep tournament run this season.
A Unique Echo from History
Looking back, one might find a striking parallel in the 2004 NFL season when the New England Patriots unexpectedly lost in the playoffs despite a dominant season. Much like 99DIVINE, they entered the playoffs with few prior losses only to be blindsided by a lower-seeded team. This incident shifted not only the dynamics of that particular playoff series but also impacted how teams approached high-pressure games in the following seasons. Just as the Patriots had to adapt and evolve their play style, 99DIVINE will need to reassess how they tackle future matches, proving that even the strongest can stumble in the unforgiving arena of competitive gaming.