Phony is ok – ALGS Midseason Playoffs begin with player surgery, well-being worries, and dramatic games

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 10/07/2025

First and foremost, Apex Legends fans are glad to hear that 100 Thieves player Phony is recovering well from appendicitis surgery after falling ill in Riyadh. 

Day one of the ALGS Midseason Playoffs (hosted as part of the Esports World Cup) has been a messy start, but a start nonetheless. From Phony’s unfortunately timed emergency surgery to Furia player Keon’s health-related game pause, here is all you need to know about the Playoffs so far. 

Phony given good prognosis for “quick recovery” after appendicitis surgery 

A mere 24 hours before the Apex Legends Global Series Midseason Playoffs were due to begin, 100 Thieves player Josue ‘Phony’ Ruiz revealed that he was in hospital with a humorous “EWC ready” caption. 

Later posts from him and the 100 Thieves team revealed that the title-winning player was caught out with unexpected and unfortunately timed appendicitis. With team manager Ryan ‘Marti’ by his side, he went into surgery the night before the tournament began. 

While the Pool Play stage of competition began, 100 Thieves confirmed that his surgery was successful. He should recover quickly from the operation.  

Contrary to comments made by retired pro Monsoon, he is not expected to gain cyborg powers to win the tournament. 

Keon’s on-stage health scare (he is also ok, all Apex pros are still in one piece)

If one health scare wasn’t enough, Furia Apex pro Keon ‘Keon’ Berghout also sparked worry with an on-stage incident.

During the ten-game series, he became visibly distressed. The player could be seen on camera rocking back and forth, calling out to his teammates, saying, “I need food, I need to pause, I might literally have a heart attack.”

After the series concluded, he was able to post an explanation online for the incident.      

The community immediately offered their support and well-wishes. Overall, Apex Legends fans appear to simply be glad that the hospitalised pro tally didn’t progress from one to two. 

Pool Play Group 1 – who progresses, who plays again, and who exits the tournament early?

The Esports World Cup format differs from traditional ALGS LAN tournaments. Instead of a Group Stage, Elimination Brackets, and Grand Final, eliminations and finals qualifications can be acquired by teams on the first day of competition. 

There are two pools – Pool Play 1 on the first day of competition, Pool Play 2 on the second. Each Pool Play stage features a full lobby of 20 teams. These teams compete in a ten-game series to accumulate placement points and kill points. 

Teams in the top seven after ten games proceed straight to the Grand Final. The bottom three teams are immediately eliminated from competition. 

After Pool Play 1, TSM, Team Falcons, Ninjas In Pyjamas, FNATIC, KINOTROPE Gaming, Wolves Esports, and NAVI all progressed to the Midseason Playoffs Finals on Sunday, July 13th. 

MOVISTAR KOI, EDward Gaming, and Zero Tenacity have been eliminated. 

Phony’s team, 100 Thieves, will play in Pool Play 2.

After his on-stage scare, Keon will be competing in the Last Chance Stage of competition on Saturday. This stage will see placements 8-17 from each Pool Play stage compete for the last places in Sunday’s Grand Final. 

Major Apex Legends teams TSM and Team Falcons are two favourites on Esports Betting Sites to win the Playoffs. Their fast pass to the finals should assist them in their bid for victory.   

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

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