PGL Masters Bucharest 2025SAW grab third place in Bucharest over GamerLegion
The Portuguese side put the cherry on top of a stellar LAN campaign.
SAW have secured third place at PGL Masters Bucharest off the back of a 2-1 series win over GamerLegion, recovering from a loss on Overpass (4-13) with wins on Inferno (13-11) and Nuke (13-8).
"Before the tournament we were not expecting anything like this, because our practice was not going well," João "story" Vieira admitted after SAW secured the win over GamerLegion. "Tournament games are always different because we are more focused, and the game is slower which I think fits us."
SAW's biggest boon in this series was their ability to perform when it counted most, fending off GamerLegion's late attempt to secure Inferno and picking up numerous important clutches on Nuke.
GamerLegion meanwhile seemed to shrink when the pressure mounted, performing well whilst front-running on Overpass but struggling throughout much of the rest of the series.
Overpass was an utter stomp in favour of GamerLegion, their well-drilled offense proving too much for SAW to handle. The likes of Oldřich "PR" Nový and Fredrik "REZ" Sterner terrorized their opposition as SAW's lack of comfort on Overpass shone through, the Portuguese side unable to find effective defensive setups.
SAW started slighty better on Inferno but still were comfortably second-best, GamerLegion's slick retakes coming through time and time again to give the European combine an 8-4 halftime lead.
GamerLegion just couldn't get going on their T side, however, António "aragornN" Barbosa shutting down their attempts to split onto the A site and story consistently picking them off with his AWP. GamerLegion cobbled a few late rounds together to put pressure on SAW, but the Portuguese boys converted at the last.
Nuke seemed poised for GamerLegion to take after the first half, the European side outmanoeuvring their opponents consistently in the mid-round to bag a 7-5 lead. SAW took over on their T side, however, thanks to a string of clutches from the likes of story and Adones "krazy" Nobre, GamerLegion inability to convert a late round granting SAW the series win.
SAW pull another strong LAN run out of nowhere
SAW, somehow, consistently manage to perform above and beyond expectations in big LAN events, regardless of the context surrounding them. Coming into PGL Masters Bucharest off the back of fumbling a Major spot was a tough situation to be in, but SAW rose to the occasion.
story, krazy and aragornN all produced highlight moments throughout SAW's run, and Christopher "MUTiRiS" Fernandes was a stronger piece than one might expect of him. The VRS points this run have earned SAW will be invaluable heading into next year.
GamerLegion lose amidst transfer rumours
GamerLegion's defeat might be forgivable considering the rumours swirling around the team at the moment. Håvard "rain" Nygaard have reportedly signed for 100 Thieves and are targeting GamerLegion's core to team up with the Norwegian.
Considering GamerLegion's capitulation against Aurora and somewhat surprising defeat here, perhaps the background noise was playing in their mind.
More highlights:
 GamerLegion |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 - 38 | +3.46% | 82.6 | 79.0% | 1.29 | |
| 46 - 44 | +2.89% | 81.9 | 66.1% | 1.24 | |
| 44 - 41 | +2.02% | 75.8 | 69.4% | 1.20 | |
| 33 - 37 | +0.96% | 54.8 | 77.4% | 1.02 | |
| 33 - 44 | -4.19% | 57.5 | 66.1% | 0.80 |
  SAW |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 - 38 | +5.11% | 82.7 | 77.4% | 1.39 | |
| 49 - 42 | -0.02% | 87.3 | 64.5% | 1.18 | |
| 41 - 37 | -2.09% | 67.7 | 71.0% | 0.91 | |
| 38 - 43 | -3.25% | 60.9 | 71.0% | 0.82 | |
| 25 - 40 | -5.10% | 56.0 | 71.0% | 0.65 |
Ashley 'ash' Battye
Christopher 'MUTiRiS' Fernandes
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