SOTEN rise, SBI e-Sports fall: APAC North Split 2 turns upside down

APAC North's Split 2 has flipped the script, and there's only two rounds left to play. SBI e-Sports, champions of Split 1, are now clinging to ALGS survival at the edge of the standings, while SOTEN have rocketed to the top behind two fearless rookies. Meanwhile, UNLIMIT, Enter Force.36, and DOSUKOI Impact are waiting in the wings.

The standout team of the APAC North is SOTEN, who have gone from #14 in Split 1 to #1 in Split 2. The Japanese roster dominated in Round 3: A vs B on Sept. 28, winning three of the six games, and averaging 10 kills per game.

SOTEN's success is even more remarkable considering the Japanese roster includes two complete rookies, gavomk and kakigoori7, neither had played Apex Legends competitively before this Split. They are being led by Ryo "MiaK" Inagaki, who has made ALGS LAN Grand Finals twice, once with RIDDLE in 2023 and then with KINOTROPE Gaming in 2024.

However, given two of the players are brand new to the ALGS, it means qualifying by Championship Points is not an option. For SOTEN, the only way to qualify for the ALGS Championships 2026 is to finish 1st in either the Regular Season or the Regional Finals.

For SBI e-Sports, the final two rounds of the Regular Season of APAC North Split 2 Pro League are critical. SBI e-Sports have had an even sharper decline than VK Gaming’s in APAC South, straight off the back of a #38 finish at the Midseason Playoffs.

SBI e-Sports were winners of Split 1 but are now sitting in #20 with only one round of matches left to play on Oct. 4. Their main issue has been consistency. In the first three games of the Round 1 SBI e-Sports secured zero kills, but managed 3rd place in game 6. Meanwhile in Round 2 they started well (four top 10 placements) but then finished 17th in the final two games.

It is extremely unfortunate timing for a dip in form as SBI e-Sports are #27 for ALGS Championship Points, with top 24 earning direct qualification for the ALGS Championships 2026 being held in Sapporo, Japan. There is room to climb for SBI e-Sports, but two teams are also hot on their heels; REALIZE NOVA and STRIDERZ.

Outside of SOTEN's rise and SBI e-Sports' steep decline, UNLIMIT and Enter Force. 36 are also making waves.

UNLIMIT may seem like a new face but it was previously known as GHS BoooM. Under the name GHS BooooM, the same roster placed #11 at the ALGS Open in Los Angeles in 2024, and finished #5 in Split 1 of Pro League Year 5. UNLIMIT have balanced placements and kills to sit at #2 heading into the final two rounds of the Regular Season.

Meanwhile Enter Force.36 as things stand, are the only team to place top 3 in both Split 1 and Split 2. For Enter Force.36 winning the Regional Finals is not as critical, as they are already on the verge of automatic qualification for ALGS Championships 2026 via their Championship Points (currently #17 with top 24 invited).

This is not the case for SOTEN and UNLIMIT who both must win either the Regular Season or the Regional Finals to qualify for ALGS Championships 2026.

DOSUKOI's 4th place so far in the Regular Season has clearly impressed, as the roster has just been signed by o2 Esports - not to be confused with Oxygen Esports. Much like SOTEN, DOSUKOI - now o2 esports - came in clutch when it really mattered, placing 1st and 2nd in the last two rounds of matches. Impressively they staged five top 5 finishes in six games in Round 3: A vs B.

DOSUKOI features Masaki "788" Tamanaha, one of the oldest players in the ALGS APAC North at 31 years old.

APAC North Split 2 has been chaotic but brilliant. Well known faces such as FNATIC, REJECT and REIGNITE fight mid-table while a new generation are making a claim for the title.

Will SBI e-Sports survive? Will SOTEN go all the way? The Regular Season concludes on Oct. 3–4, and the looming Regional Finals will give us the answers.