It’s fair to say that PEST Esport joined the partner programme just a short while ago, which is why we haven’t had the chance to take a closer look at them until now. However, their participation in the arrMY Open quickly showed that this is a team you simply cannot ignore. From the very start, PEST displayed solid form, at times even dominating. Promotion to the higher division was truly within their grasp. Unfortunately, despite a very strong performance in the regular season and an ambitious fight in the playoffs, they failed to achieve this feat. So let’s take a look at their journey throughout the season.
Regular season – top record, unlucky draw
PEST Esport finished the regular season with one of the best records in the league, with 9 wins and just 1 defeat. Ultimately, however, due to a less favourable round record, the team finished in 8th place. Even so, this is still a very high position, considering that as many as 128 teams secured a place in the playoffs. Right from their first match, PEST demonstrated their strength, crushing KokoDzambo 13-0 on Mirage. Most of the subsequent matches were also under their complete control. The team’s only defeat in this phase came not on the server, but at the green table. It was a walkover conceded to Cave Esport Team. However, there were also more evenly matched clashes, such as the 13-11 victory against Venom Reactivation on Ancient. On top of that, the end of the group stage could have caused a bit of a scare, but PEST kept their cool and closed it out with a 13:7 win over Hajty on Dust 2.
PEST Esport’s play-offs – close to the goal, but no happy ending
After a very solid group stage, PEST Esport entered the playoffs with realistic hopes of qualifying for arrMY Rising. Their previous form suggested the team was capable of competing even against the strongest sides in the field. Although the path to their desired goal proved exceptionally demanding, PEST repeatedly demonstrated character, determination and the ability to bounce back from difficult moments.
A confident start: a walkover and total dominance
The first match of the playoffs ended in a walkover against SMAŻYMY KUCHN!E, allowing PEST to advance directly to the next round. Shortly afterwards, the team faced Cart00n, leaving no room for doubt on Overpass. From the very first rounds, PEST controlled the match, effectively capitalising on their opponents’ mistakes and quickly building a lead. The match ended in a decisive 13-2 victory, which only confirmed the team’s aspirations to fight for promotion.
Upper bracket promotion match: PEST Esport 1:2 Ananaski
13:6 Ancient | 6:13 Dust 2 | 9:13 Overpass
The series began on Ancient, where PEST Esport very quickly took control of the match. From the opening rounds, the team built a lead, scoring regularly and gradually increasing the gap between themselves and their opponents. Ananaski struggled to keep up, and for most of the map, the score went PEST’s way. With each successive round, their lead became increasingly apparent. This allowed PEST to comfortably close out the map with a 13:6 victory and take the lead in the series.
Unfortunately, on Dust 2, the tables turned. This time, Ananaski started the match better and dictated the pace of the game from the very beginning. PEST tried to put up a fight, but their opponents consistently added rounds to their tally and maintained a comfortable lead. Despite attempts to get back into the match, PEST were unable to turn the tide of the map, which ended in a 6-13 victory for Ananaski, leading to a decisive showdown.
The deciding map was Overpass, which proved to be the most evenly matched part of the entire series. Both teams traded rounds for a long time, and the score remained very close. PEST had their moments and real chances to tip the balance in their favour, but in the closing stages, it was Ananaski who remained more effective. Ultimately, the map ended with a score of 9:13 in favour of the opponents. This meant a 1:2 victory for Ananaski in the series and PEST Esport’s relegation to the lower bracket.
A chance for revenge in the lower bracket: PEST Esport 2:0 Cart00n
13:5 Overpass | 13:5 Dust 2
Following their defeat in the promotion match from the upper bracket, PEST Esport dropped into the lower bracket of the playoffs, where they faced Cart00n once again. Consequently, the rivals had the opportunity to avenge their earlier defeat. However, PEST once again gave them little chance and controlled the series from the outset. The first map was Overpass again, on which PEST very quickly built a clear lead. With each successive round, the gap between the teams widened steadily, and Cart00n were unable to put up a fight. PEST consistently secured round after round and closed out the map 13-5 without much trouble, moving closer to victory in the series.
The second map was Dust 2, which unfolded in almost exactly the same vein. PEST once again dictated the pace of the game and quickly established a comfortable lead. Cart00n tried to respond, but the points gap persisted throughout the match. Ultimately, this map also ended with a score of 13:5, securing a 2:0 victory for PEST Esport. Naturally, this win allowed PEST to remain in the lower bracket and keep their hopes alive for promotion to arrMY Rising.
Lower bracket promotion match: PEST Esport 1:2 40cm in about
2:13 Ancient | 16:13 Mirage | 3:13 Nuke
The final step on PEST Esport’s path to promotion to arrMY Rising was a match against 40cm in about, with a direct place in the higher division at stake. The match itself, however, promised to be a very demanding encounter from the very start. The series began on the Ancient map, which unfortunately did not go PEST’s way. Their opponents quickly built a clear lead, and PEST were unable to put up a competitive fight. As the map progressed, the point difference only widened, and Ancient ended in a heavy 2-13 defeat, leaving PEST in a difficult position ahead of the next map.
On Mirage, however, PEST Esport managed to get back into the contest. The match was incredibly close, with neither team able to pull away to a comfortable lead. The battle for every round continued right until the end of regular time, which failed to produce a winner. It was only in overtime that a winner emerged, with PEST proving more effective, winning 16:13 and forcing a decider. Thus, the fate of progression was decided on Nuke, where 40cm in apie once again proved the better side. The rivals quickly built up a lead which they did not relinquish for the remainder of the match. PEST were unable to turn the match around, and the map ended with a score of 3:13, meaning a 1:2 victory for 40cm in the series and the end of PEST Esport’s journey in the arrMY Open.
No promotion, but heads held high
Although PEST Esport ultimately failed to secure promotion to the Rising division, their performance at arrMY can certainly be considered a success. A very solid regular season finished with a 9–1 record, a high position in the table and a genuine fight for promotion in the playoffs show that the team has the potential to compete at a higher level. In the decisive moments, they were just one step short. However, the very fact of coming so close to their goal is a valuable experience for PEST. If the team maintains its current form and learns from this league season, future attempts to secure promotion could end much better. For now, PEST Esport bids farewell to the league, but it certainly hasn’t had its final say yet.
PEST Esport (x.com – team profile)
English 
Polish 