Naos Esports could not get past the group stage of the VCT: APAC Challengers as it was sent packing by Indonesia’s Onic Esports 2-1 in their do-or-die match on Friday, March 18.
The Philippine representatives put up a gallant stand but was not enough as Cahya "Monyet" Nugraha stepped up to the plate for Onic to complete the reverse sweep of the Filipinos
Onic actually had a solid start to the series as it raced to an 8-4 first half lead in Naos map pick in Bind. The Filipinos however came alive after the switch as it put up a solid defense against the attacking side to turn things around through a 9-3 tally in the second half and take the first point of the series with a nail-biting 13-11 come-from-behind win.
Shaun Matthew “Blurred” Maglasang keyed the victory with 19 kills on the Raze as Naos survived the initial onslaught from Monyet who collected game-high 26 kills on the same agent.
Monyet then went on a rampage in the next map especially that it was Onic pick in Icebox. Naos managed to keep in step with the Indonesians at the onset of the match only trailing 5-7 at the half. Monyet though anchored the defending side after the switch as Onic scored six straight rounds to force a deciding game following its 13-5 triumph in Game 2.
Onic then made sure to keep its tight hold of the lead in Game 3 as it took a commanding 8-4 lead in the first half in Breeze. It then needed six rounds after the switch, capping it off with a flawless round to finally dispatch the Filipinos.
Monyet was consistent all-series long finishing with 27 kills in Game 2 and 25 kills in Game 3 both using a Jett.
Naos loss leaves APAC Challengers PH titlist South Built Esports the only PH team remaining in the tournament. South Built Esports will be battling for its survival as well when it takes on Hong Kong’s Oblivion Force in the Group D’s loser’s match on Saturday
SBE got tripped in its opener where it suffered a 2-0 sweep at the hands of Full Sense on Thursday.