By: Paolo R. Trinidad
South Built Esports claimed the throne in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2022: Philippines Challengers, winning the championship following a 3-1 victory against NAOS Esports in the grand finals on Sunday afternoon.
The defending VxV Champions closed out the series in Game Four by putting on a 13-8 show in the NAOS Esports-picked Icebox.
South Built Esports started the aggression early, taking a commanding 9-3 advantage to bury NAOS Esports. Not wanting to go down without a fight, NAOS Esports went for a 5-1 rally to slice the lead to just two points.
That, however, was the last of NAOS Esports after committing a crucial mistake in Round 20. Looking to steal a round from South Built Esports, Oscar “kakarot” Farin Jr. (KAY/O) scored three kills while only using Bulldog. Unfortunately, Franz “kvzx” Dingal’s Sova accidentally took out Kakaro in the following two-versus-one scenario which put South Built Esports at match point, 12-8.
South Built Esports took advantage and closed the series in the following round with Viper’s ultimate that gave NAOS no access at all to A site. Johnty “JA” Arone who played Jett took the center stage for South Built with 28 kills and a high 374 Average Combat Score.
NAOS Esports bagged the opening map at Breeze with a come-from-behind 13-11 win before South Built Esports handed Naos its first loss in the playoffs with a 13-11 performance at Haven in Game Two.
South Built Esports then broke its curse at Ascent, sealing the 2-1 series advantage with a 13-8 Game Three victory. It was a team effort for South Built with all players reaching the double-digits in scoring.
The agents from down south won the $10,000 grand prize and the bragging rights as the Philippines grand champions. South Built Esports, together with NAOS Esports and Action PH have all qualified to represent the Philippines in the upcoming VALORANT Champions Tour: Asia Pacific Challengers.
