Team Secret edged Made in Thailand, 2-1, and advanced to the upper bracket semifinals in the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2022: APAC Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) Tuesday, Aug. 2.
The Filipinos recovered from their early slump in Game 1 after absorbing a 13-6 defeat in Haven before finding their groove in Ascent, 13-6, and Bind, 13-9.
Jessie "JessieVash" Cuyco, on his Sova and Fade, led Team Secret with 44 kills and 22 assists while Jayvee "DubsteP" Paguirigan, on his Jett and Raze, followed suit with 43 kills.
Kevin "dispenser" Te (Killjoy/Viper) listed 42 kills and 17 assists, Riley "witz" Go got 41 frags and 20 assists, while Jim "BORKUM" Timbreza had 39 kills and 26 assists.
Jeremy "Jremy" Cabrera sat out in all three games.
Kantapon "Kadoom" Kingthong paced MITH with 66 kills on his Neon and Chamber.
Game 3 in Bind proved to be crucial for both teams after Team Secret equalized 1-1 as dispender, on his Killjoy, led the way with 17 kills and four assists in Ascent.
Over in Bind, while Kadoom pretty much did all the carry for the Thai side with 28 frags, the Filipinos showed a total team effort and connection with their utilities and post-plant setups.
BORKUM showed who's boss on his Brimstone and got four-kills twice in Rounds 10 and 21 while JessieVash waxed hot in Round 14 with a 4K of his own.
Leading 11-9, Team Secret stepped on the gas behind the efforts of BORKUM in the penultimate round with an iconic 4K even as JessieVash, dispenser, and Witz joined forces to delay the A short push from the Thais in the final round to secure the series win.
MITH, for its part, was relegated to the lower bracket and would have to face Fancy United Esports in a do-or die series Wednesday, Aug. 3
Team Secret, meanwhile will take on Bleed eSports in the upper bracket semis Thursday, Aug. 4.