ZETA DIVISION ZETA DIVISION Japan Rank #2 Dep Yuma Hashimoto SugarZ3ro Shota Watanabe CLZ Hikaru Mizutani SyouTa Shota Aoki Xdll Yuto Mizomori have triumphed over Rex Regum Qeon Rex Regum Qeon Asia-Pacific Rank #20 Monyet Cahya Nugraha xffero David Monangin Jemkin Maksim Batorov Kushy Bryan Carlos Setiawan Estrella Park Gun (박건) 2-1 after a thrilling 40-round Ascent.

ZETA DIVISION came into the series as the only remaining Japanese squad in contention for a spot at Champions after DetonatioN FocusMe DetonatioN FocusMe Japan Rank #3 Meiy Ibuki Seki Art Jinboong Kim Jin-won (김진원) Akame Yu Gwang-hui (유광희) gyen 's elimination early in the tournament. ZETA are looking to redeem themselves after failing to qualify for Masters: Tokyo. On the other hand, RRQ have come off the back of a strong win versus Global Esports Global Esports Asia-Pacific Rank #38 patrickWHO Mark Musni UdoTan Go Kyung-won (고경원) Kr1stal Savva Fedorov kellyS Kelly Sedillo Papi Federico Evangelista and are looking to be a new contender in Seoul.

Ascent will be a map to remember for ZETA as it took 16 rounds of overtime alone and 42 kills from Dep to take it over the line.

“This was definitely the longest overtime in my Valorant career,” said TENNN .

Dep on stage Dep took his team over the line on Ascent. (Photo by Riot Games)

The series began on RRQ's map pick of Haven. The Indonesian-Philippine mix held an 80% win rate on the map in the VCT Pacific regular season, a record that would go untainted against ZETA.

After just the first half xffero had collected 18 kills on Sova and a 1.84 rating on the map as a whole, far and above his average of 1.22.

Every member of RRQ excelled on the first map with every member ending with an ADR greater than 100 and a KAST above 80%.

RRQ provided a masterclass on the first map as they immediately put ZETA on the back foot in the series with a 13-2 victory.

fl1pzjder on stage At the very least, RRQ can be proud of their performance on Haven. (Photo by Riot Games)

The second map was ZETA's pick of Split and proved to be much closer than the first. Despite an ace from Lmemore and the initial four rounds going the way of RRQ, ZETA seemed to be in control for most of the map.

ZETA went on a streak of seven straight rounds to reach a lead of 10-5 on the map and crush any hopes for an RRQ 2-0.

The double duelists for ZETA in Dep and TENNN provided numbers for their team in the most pivotal moments. TENNN on Raze in particular provided an impressive six first kills with just two first deaths while entrying.

An ace from Lmemore gave RRQ some slight relief for RRQ in the second half. However, ZETA quickly ran away with the map afterwards to take it 13-8 and force Ascent.

The final map, Ascent, will be one to forget for RRQ. For the first time in the series, ZETA managed to take the upper hand to start the map with successful pistol and bonus round wins.

A stalwart defense from ZETA gave them an 8-4 half coming into halftime.

However, RRQ activated once coming onto their own defense and racked up eight straight rounds to lead 10-8.

Lmemore continued a streak of impressive form throughout the series, ending on a 1.10 rating and 155 ADR. The Indonesian has become one of RRQ's most consistent performers in recent times.

ZETA eventually clawed their way back to being competitive late in the second half with a short streak of three rounds to at least guarantee overtime.

ZETA filled the rounds with hero plays from Dep, SugarZ3ro , and Laz while RRQ refused to let up.

Despite the narrow scoreline, RRQ's overtime round wins were significantly more dominant than their opponent's with clean round after clean round going the way of RRQ.

ZETA required a heroic performance from Dep to close things out with a pivotal 4K in round 34 and 42 kills in total to end the map and series with a 21-19 victory on Ascent for ZETA.

Dep was a hero for ZETA DIVISION.

ZETA have made the top three in the Pacific LCQ and will look to play the victor of Team Secret Team Secret Asia-Pacific Rank #7 invy Adrian Jiggs Reyes JessieVash Jessie Cuyco Wild0reoo Brheyanne Christ Reyes 2ge James Goopio Jremy Jeremy Cabrera and Gen.G Gen.G Korea Rank #1 Foxy9 Jung Jae-sung (정재성) t3xture Kim Na-ra (김나라) Munchkin Byeon Sang-beom (변상범) yoman Chae Young-moon (채영문) Karon Kim Won-tae (김원태) on Friday, July 21.

RRQ drop the lower bracket of the LCQ and will play the loser of the aforementioned game for elimination.