MASTERS BERLIN ROUND-UP: Sentinels’ first LAN defeat, Secret qualify for Champions
If you fell asleep early last night, I’m sorry to say that you missed a lot of VALORANT Champions Tour 2021: Stage 3 Masters – Berlin action. We stayed up for you, so here’s a quick recap to keep you up to speed:
G2 sweep Sentinels 2-0 to hand them their first LAN defeat
European powerhouse G2 Esports brought their A-game when they took on Masters Reykjavik champions Sentinels in their Group D rematch. G2 opened up the series by dominating the North American squad on Icebox, taking a commanding 9-3 lead at halftime. Sentinels would then fail to put any more points on the board during their brief attacking stint and succumb to a 12-3 loss.
Welcome to the G2 Era pic.twitter.com/Iu9uDDtHoE
FEATURED STORIES— G2 Esports (@G2esports) September 15, 2021
The second map, Split, was a more tightly contested affair. It was Sentinels’ map pick this time around and they managed to win a respectable four rounds despite starting the match as the attacking side.
Sentinels then won a crucial pistol round that spurred them into taking a 9-8 lead. G2, however, regained their rhythm off the back of insane Astra plays from Auni “AvovA” Chahade to stave off any chances of a Sentinels comeback.
The statement win propels G2 to the top of Group D while Sentinels settle for the second seed and reflect on an uncharacteristic performance.
Secret qualify for Champions after Paper Rex loss
For Filipino fans, Paper Rex’s match against SuperMassive Blaze brought on some conflicting emotions. A Paper Rex win would do wonders for the Southeast Asian Valorant scene but that would also mean Team Secret had work cut out for them if they wanted to make the world championships.
Getting a direct invite to the Valorant Champions or rooting for our SEA friends?
Tough choice 🥵#VALORANTMasters pic.twitter.com/KXdTcIQK3l
— Team Secret (@teamsecret) September 15, 2021
SuperMassive Blaze were in cruise control of Haven until all of a sudden, they weren’t. Paper Rex rallied to push the contest into overtime and were more than successful, taking the first map 14-12.
The boys from SEA hoped to close things out on their own map pick, Breeze, but SuperMassive Blaze had other ideas. The Turkish superteam dominated the tropical island to level the scoreboard and although the deciding match on Split wasn’t as one-sided, an ace from Eren “Brave” Kasırga sealed the deal.
Paper Rex’s loss meant they were still level with the former-Bren-now-Secret roster at 225 circuit points but since Jayvee “DubsteP” Paguirigan and co. had the superior head-to-head record, the plane ticket to Champions falls on Team Secret’s hands.
What next?
Two more playoff spots are up for grabs and the first match of the evening will see SuperMassive Blaze taking on Acend to decide who faces 100Thieves while Vision Strikers await the winner of Gamit Esports and Crazy Raccoons’ contest.
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