3DMAX Shock The MongolZ in FISSURE Playground 2 Opening Match

3DMAX Shock The MongolZ in FISSURE Playground 2 Opening Match

In what many expected to be a comfortable victory for the Mongolian squad, 3DMAX handed The MongolZ a defeat in their FISSURE Playground 2 debut, winning 2-1 in a best-of-three series. The match took place on September 12, 2025. 

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Match Recap & Map Breakdown

• Inferno saw 3DMAX take the opener 13-10. The MongolZ looked sluggish early on but showed signs of life, especially on their Terrorist side, only for 3DMAX to capitalize at the end.

• The MongolZ roared back on Ancient, dominating 3DMAX with a convincing 13-5 scoreline. Their momentum, coordination, and map control were strong in that match.

• On Nuke, 3DMAX closed out the series with a 13-9 win. Despite MongolZ pressure, especially on their CT side, errors and a strong showing from 3DMAX proved decisive.

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Key Players & Tactical Shifts

• Maka (Bryan “Maka” Canda) was the standout performer for 3DMAX. He led his team in both damage rating (ADR) and in impact across Inferno and Nuke. On Inferno, he came alive on the last stretch; on Nuke he posted the highest ADR on his side.

• 3DMAX recently made a change in leadership: Filip “Graviti” Brankovic is now their in-game leader (IGL), which seems to have helped streamline decision-making. It also appears to have released Maka somewhat from leadership responsibilities so he can focus more on fragging.

• From The MongolZ side, Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch put up one of the better individual performances—he ended with positive kill-death differential and a solid ADR. Still, the team’s inconsistency across maps—and especially their slow start on Inferno—undermined their chances.

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Context & Expectations

• Before the match, The MongolZ were widely considered favorites. Their VRS Global Ranking was #2, while 3DMAX was sitting around #11 at the time. Many analysts predicted MongolZ would take this one, given their recent form.

• However, The MongolZ admitted publicly that they had not practiced ahead of FISSURE Playground 2, and there were signs of rust. Their performance confirmed some of those pre-match concerns.

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Implications for FISSURE Playground 2

• This match serves as a wake-up call: even high-ranked teams like The MongolZ are vulnerable if they are not sharp from map one. 3DMAX has now secured a strong foothold in the Swiss stage, better positioning themselves for further rounds.

• For The MongolZ, the loss may affect seeding in later Swiss rounds and impose pressure to steady their performances. They will need to sharpen their coordination, especially on CT sides where they appeared shaky.

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Statistical Highlights

Here are some of the standout stats from the series:

Player	Team	K-D Differential	ADR	Map(s) Notable
Bryan “Maka” Canda	3DMAX	+14 (57-43)	~83.3	Carried Inferno and top ADR on Nuke.
Alexandre “bodyy” Pianaro	3DMAX	+11	~85.1	Solid map control and rounds in key situations.
Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch	The MongolZ	+8	~75.0	Strong in opening map but couldn't close.

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Final Thoughts

3DMAX’s upset over The MongolZ is one of the more surprising upsets so far in FISSURE Playground 2. It underscores how lineups with strong individual talent and recent tactical or leadership changes can punch above expectations. For fans of The MongolZ, it’s a reminder that consistency and preparation cannot be overlooked—even for top-ranked teams.