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2025 Isabuhay Quarterfinals (Keys to Victory)
Here are the eight emcees who will be proceeding to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Isabuhay Tournament!
Dante Romero
May 01, 2025
The first round of the 2025 Isabuhay Tournament took place on the 26th of April at Second Sight 14. While it was only the beginning, there were already battle-of-the-year candidates, breakout performances, and upsets. We are now down to eight emcees, and it looks like things will get even more exciting and unpredictable. Today, let’s talk about the lineup of the quarterfinals and the factors that might help them advance to the semis. If you weren’t able to attend Second Sight 14 and wish to avoid spoilers, stop reading NOW.
Carlito
Carlito’s menacing presence, combined with his sharp vocabulary and distinct voice, instantly makes him a legitimate threat. His first round battle against Article Clipted was one of the many back-and-forth affairs of the event. He continues to spit haymaker after haymaker without abandoning his complex rhyme schemes and concepts. In the next round, the masked lyricist must keep his solid material and presence intact while introducing more unique angles.
Katana
Katana’s biggest strengths are his witty humor and distinctive heavy-hitting lines. What also makes him a threat is that his verses are easy to digest, despite the complexities. As long as he stays consistent and keeps on coming up with inventive material, there’s a big chance he may even reach the finals. His evolution is constant in every battle, so he must maintain that unpredictability factor in his next bouts.
Zaki
Zaki is arguably the most aggressive emcee in the tournament, delivery-wise. Apart from that, no one can deny the power of his technical pen game, creative humor, and intricate rhyming. Zaki should maintain the intensity in his presence while coming up with much more devastating punchlines. His previous performances were solid, and if he can elevate even further, he can easily go far in the tourney.
Saint Ice
Saint Ice shocked everyone at Second Sight 14 with a split decision win over crowd favorite Jonas. He is one of the most original when it comes to wordplay, metaphors, and references, and his unexpected jokes often work. His distinct technical style may be risky sometimes, but with just the right balance, it can lead to some game-changing moments in battle rap.
Lhipkram
Lhipkram is the most experienced heading into the quarterfinals. While he’s known mostly for his creative style mocking, he also deserves props for his intricate rhyme schemes, clever angles, and flawless wordplay. As long as he remains unpredictable in his material and his presence stays strong, he’s going to be a problem in the tournament. Don’t be surprised if an A-game Lhipkram reaches the finals.
K-Ram
Despite his opponent choking at Second Sight 14, K-Ram still gave a dominating performance. He was consistent throughout, and content-wise, fans witnessed a much-welcome return to form. K-Ram’s balance of innovative humor and hard-hitting rhymes mixed with his undeniable on-stage charisma makes him a dangerous contender in the tournament. He just needs to avoid stumbling and focus on putting out more original material.
Ban
Ban is another underdog who came out victorious at Second Sight 14, beating Manda Baliw in an entertaining match. He has shown vast improvements in his material and performance, and he’s just getting started. His brilliant humor, combined with his razor-sharp pen game, continues to attract a larger fanbase. The Visayas Division representative has also levelled up his delivery, making him a much more effective emcee.
CripLi
Many fans are claiming that CripLi had the performance of the night at Second Sight 14. With his effortless mix of intelligent humor, ruthless personals, and impressive metaphors, he’s possibly one of the most versatile emcees today. CripLi’s aura and confidence also add a lot to his overall presentation. If he keeps it up without stumbling at all, he’ll go a long way in the tournament.
READ ALSO: From A Fan’s Perspective: What Makes an Exciting Isabuhay
There’s no announcement yet regarding the date of the quarterfinals. Make sure you follow the league’s official Facebook page and this site for updates. Who do you think will be advancing? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. To the emcees, best of luck to you all, and we hope you give us another epic show in the next round. Long live Philippine battle rap!
