MIBR and LVG bow out as CAC day two concludes

MIBR and LVG bow out as CAC day two concludes

Day two of the CS Asia Championships 2025 saw two fan-favorite squads exit: MIBR and Lynn Vision Gaming (LVG) were both eliminated after failing to navigate through their lower bracket matches. With the group stage elimination games wrapping up, their campaigns in Shanghai are now over. 

MIBR’s exit: falling to Virtus.pro in elimination

MIBR’s elimination came via a defeat to Virtus.pro, whose roster is competing in CAC 2025 with the return of AWPer Kaisar “ICY” Faiznurov. ICY was confirmed by HLTV to rejoin VP for the tournament, replacing a previous plan to use b1st, as the team aimed to comply with Valve’s rules requiring retention of a core roster to maintain invite eligibility. 

The match loss marked a swift exit for MIBR, who had previously dropped into the lower bracket after a loss to Legacy in the upper bracket. The defeat underscores the high stakes at CAC: a single elimination BO3 loss ends a team’s run. 

It’s a particularly stinging blow given MIBR’s legacy in global CS, but their performance in Shanghai shows how volatile and unforgiving tournament play can be, even for established rosters.

LVG eliminated after 3DMAX ousts them

On the other bracket, LVG (Lynn Vision Gaming) were knocked out by 3DMAX, who secured a 2–0 victory in their lower bracket match. That result ensures 3DMAX stays alive and must win another match to reach the playoffs. 

3DMAX looked pressured at times, but capitalized on LVG’s inconsistencies. As the higher-seeded team in Shanghai, they were expected to perform better, and this elimination match may finally see them stabilize into stronger form barring stiff opposition. 

Filip “Graviti” Brankovic noted on broadcast:

“It's a trap for us, maybe, to have too much confidence. We need to be humble.”

He cautioned the team not to rest on their reputation and to keep focus as the bracket toughens. 

What the eliminations mean for the bracket and CAC narrative

1. Bracket clarity
   With MIBR and LVG out, the lower bracket becomes more aggressive — fewer safety nets remain. Teams like Virtus.pro and 3DMAX now face must-win matches for the right to enter the playoff quarterfinals.

2. Virtus.pro’s momentum
   VP’s survival is boosted by ICY’s return. Their presence in the elimination rounds reintroduces a Russian-Kazakh core into CAC, giving fans matchups with both legacy and emerging teams.

3. Unexpected voids
   MIBR had been considered a threat capable of deep runs; their exit signals volatility and opens room for underdog stories. Meanwhile, LVG’s home event ends in disappointment, cutting local hopes.

4. Tournament pressure intensifies
   Each elimination emphasizes how tight the margins are. One mistake or collapse can define fate — a point doubly emphasized with MIBR and LVG’s storied backgrounds.

Related developments & background

• MIBR’s defeat comes after their loss to Legacy in the upper bracket. Their double elimination shows that upper bracket losses can bite hard in this format.

• ICY’s inclusion in Virtus.pro’s roster was a strategic adjustment for compliance with the Valve Tournament Operating Requirements, helping them maintain eligibility by preserving enough of their invited core.

• 3DMAX’s advancement continues their redemption arc. Having dropped early, they now get a chance to face VP again, with the loser of that match being eliminated.

• LVG had shown vulnerability earlier in the tournament and entering elimination match-ups was always precarious for them. Their removal aligns with pre-tournament expectations about bracket volatility.