NAOS Esports failed to capitalize on a superb group stage performance as they stumbled to a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Japanese team SCARZ in the semi-finals of the VCT Challenger Ascension 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday.
The winners of VCT Philippines Split 2 concluded an impressive group stage campaign, securing the top spot with a 3-1 record and earning a place in the upper bracket of the playoffs.
After splitting the first two games of the semi-finals with identical 13-11 results, SCARZ took the lead in the rubber match by winning the first two matches, giving them a 2-0 advantage.
NAOS managed to secure Match 3, halting their losing streak, but SCARZ capitalized on their momentum and went on to win nine consecutive matches, establishing an 11-1 lead.
The Filipinos were unable to recover and succumbed to a 13-3 loss.
SCARZ, featuring Filipino-Japanese player John “Yoshiii” Kawakami, will compete against Bleed Esports in the finals to secure a slot in the 2024 Pacific League.
