Team Secret’s journey in the Valorant Champions 2021 continues after destroying Team Vikings of Brazil, 2-0, in their do-or-die match to secure a spot in the quarterfinals in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday, Dec. 8 (Manila time).
The Filipinos, after making the heavy favorites Gambit Esports bleed in its first game, continued the dream run as they capped the group stage with a sweep of Team Vikings. TS dominated its Brazilian counterparts to set up a quarterfinals clash against European powerhouse Acend.
Jayvee "DubsteP" Paguirigan set the tone for the romp with a whopping 28 kills on the Jett in Haven as Team Secret kept the ground running with another solid 3-0 start in the opener.
Team Vikings had some answers cutting the lead down to two, 4-2. However, that was the closest the Brazilians could get as the Filipinos dominated towards the end of the first half with a commanding 9-3 lead.
The Brazilians tried to stage a comeback after stringing consecutive wins in the early rounds after the switch but Secret was quick to douse that run with a flawless round to move to the Map 1 match point.
Kevin "Dispenser" Te provided support on the Killjoy finishing with a 2.5 average KDA as TS drew the series first blood after a 13-6 win in Haven.
With their tournament lives on the line, Team Vikings showed resolve as it took down Secret in the first two rounds in Icebox.
Jim "BORKUM" Timbreza on the Viper then took over for the Filipinos with a series of clutch, the first one to put the Philippines on the scoreboard in the third round and another one, when Secret seized the lead in the fifth.
Team Secret just ran over Vikings from that point as the Filipinos finished strong in the first half to take an 8-4 cushion at the half.
TS continued to assert its mastery of the Icebox map in the second half as TS overcame a 2-versus-3 disadvantage in the last round to close out the series 13-7 with Borkum leading the charge with 19 kills.
Secret finished second in Group C with a 2-1 record and will face Acend on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 1 a.m. Manila time. Acend came out of Group A unblemished with a 2-0 win-loss card,