cNed flashbacks haunted Team Secret as they bow out from the Valorant Champions Tour 2023: LOCK//IN after getting swept in the quarterfinals Natus Vincere, 0-2, on Sunday (Manila time) in São Paulo, Brazil.
The Philippines representatives once again faced a familiar foe in Mehmet “cNed” Ipek for the first time since the last time they faced the latter in the Valorant Champions all the way back in 2021.
Same result against him however as the Filipinos suffered a sweep in the best of three series started in TS’s map pick, Icebox.
Team Secret started off strong getting the first four rounds highlighted by a two-versus-five clutch with BORKUM securing the quadruple kill, but NaVi slowly but surely gained momentum as they tied the score at six apiece at the half.
The Europe-based squad did not let go as they won seven consecutive rounds starting in Round 15 to steal the map from TS, 13-8.
Game Two at Pearl saw an uncomfortable Team Secret losing round after round as they had a hard time entering the site. They eventually dropped Game Two with a 4-13 scoreline.
JessieVash led the PH squad with 32 kills and eight assists using Sova and Fade, while BORKUM added 24 hits and 11 dimes with Viper and Harbor.
For NaVi, cNed was still outstanding with his Jett with 42 kills, while Pontus “Zyppan” Eek embraced the support role with 29 markers and 24 assists.
Team Secret who is composed of Jayvee “DubsteP” Paguirigan, Jessie “JessieVash” Cuyco, Jim “BORKUM” Timbreza, Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera, and Adrian “invy” Reyes are now out of the tournament.
