Team Secret edged Thailand's Xerxia, 2-1, to move up to the semifinals of the upper bracket in the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2022: APAC Stage 2 Challengers Thursday, June 23.
Jayvee “DubsteP” Paguirigan led the Filipinos anew, mixing up his roles in KAY/O, Jett, and Chamber, with a total of 53 kills and 13 assists.
After absorbing a 13-6 loss in Haven, Team Secret bounced back with a 13-4 rout in Breeze spearheaded by DubsteP's Jett and Jeremy “Jremy" Cabrera's Chamber as the two had 21 frags apiece.
The third map in Ascent, however, saw a nip-and-tuck affair as Xerxia had the upper hand at 7-5 at the end of the first half.
The Thais won the next two rounds to create a 9-5 cushion before the Filipinos unloaded a commanding 8-0 run for the win.
After equalizing the match at a 9-9 deadlock, Team Secret showed steely nerves as attackers and forced Xerxia to save its economy down the stretch with a couple of half-buys with its gun choices.
After reaching match point, 12-9, Jessie "JessieVash" Cuyco, Jim “BORKUM” Timbreza, and DubsteP salvaged and won the round despite having two men down early as they secured the crucial post-plant situation.
Overall, BORKUM posted 41 kills and 12 assists as Astra, Viper, and Omen, Witz contributed 39 frags and 10 assists as Jett and Skye, JessieVash, consistent with his Sova, had 30 kills and 14 assists while Kevin "dispenser" Te chipped in 17 frags and 18 assists on his Killjoy and KAY/O.
Nutchapon "sScary" Matarat paced Xerxia with 43 kills and 27 assists as its controller with his Astra and Viper, while Thanachart "Surf" Rungapajaratkul on his Jett and Chamber, and Thanamethk "Crws" Mahatthananuyut on his Breach and KAY/O had 38 frags each.
Team Secret takes on ONIC of Indonesia on Friday, June 24 while Paper Rex of Malaysia-Singapore and Bleed Esports battle in the other upper bracket semifinals matchup.