By: Paolo R. Trinidad
Direct invitee Zeal Esports dazzled in its debut, introducing Chamber in its 2-0 sweep of South Built Esports in the group stage of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2022: Philippines Challengers on Thursday.
With the new agent in his hand, Zeal Esports’ Cyle “beats” Pontilar did not disappoint. He delivered 23 kills and recorded 279 ACS to beat South Built, 13-9, in Game One (Split).
This was the first time that the French agent saw action in the VCT PH stage since its release back last November.
After a rough performance in the opener, South Built Esports showed Zeal Esports why they are the defending VxV champions. They kick-started Game Two (Haven) with a 6-0 blast to bury Zeal Esports early in the match.
Zeal Esports crawled back from the deficit, eventually winning round 21, 11-10, their first lead in the second map. South Built Esports then bagged the ensuing round before FireSaiyajiN took over in round 23 with a 3K Clutch to secure the comeback, 13-10, for Zeal Esports.
George “Georggyyy” Lachica’s Jett starred as Action PH pulled off a 2-1 reverse sweep of Bren Esports to bag its first win in the VCT 2022: Philippines Stage One.
After a nip-and-tuck affair in the first two matches of the series, BREN Esports and Action PH showcased a fast-paced style of play in Game Three. Bren Esports, just like in the opener, took a slight advantage at the half, 7-5, but faltered late as Action PH scored a tight 13-9 win to bag the series.
Georggyyy tallied 20 kills along with a 286 Average Combat Score on Jett in Game Three.
BREN Esports started off hot in the opening map (Haven), taking a slim 7-5 lead at the half before Action PH knotted the game at 7-all after taking both pistol rounds. That, however, was the last of Action PH’s run as Bren Esports went berserk and ended the first map with a 6-0 blast for the 13-7 Game One win.
Xavi “Xavi8k” Juan of Bren Esports was the first player to surpass the 30-kill mark with 33. The former La Salle star also had an outstanding 441 Average Combat Score.
Map two was a completely different story as the Georggyyy-led Action PH bounced back by taking their own version of a 13-7 win in Game Two. The ex-Nixma Galaxy stalwart had 20 kills on Jett anew.
Shawn “Blurred” Maglasang took the center stage as NAOS Esports swept Looking for Org, 2-0, in the opening bout of the day.
Blurred, who recorded 24 kills in Game One playing Jett, was responsible for NAOS Esports’ hot start where he performed an impressive three-kill using Blade Storm on a save round. NAOS Esports sat comfortably at the half, 9-3.
Looking for Org then held NAOS Esports to just two points to tie the game at 11-all, but it was not enough as NAOS Esports took Game One at Haven, 13-11.
NAOS continued its fine play at Bind in Game Two with Blurred, this time as Raze, once again leading the charge. He went for a double 4K in rounds 10 and 12 to give NAOS Esports a commanding 10-2 lead at the half.
The team eventually locked the series with a 13-6 win. Blurred finished with 22 kills in Game Two.
