[VCT BR Recap] Week 5 GA: Playoff Seeding Set
Here is the first half of the recap for week 5 of the group stage. For recaps of previous weeks or other BR VCT posts check out My Post Library
TBK (2-0) Liberty
This was the only game that mattered in group A. If TBK won, they would secure the second seed from group A into the playoff, GLB would secure the third seed, and Liberty would be eliminated. If Liberty won, there would be a three way tie for two spots. Liberty played extremely well to start the group stage with a dominant win over VKS and an extremely close loss to LOUD, but a close loss to GLB has their backs against the wall. TBK were the upstarts of group A with wins over GLB and VKS, but they also lost to LOUD 26-4. This was the matchup of tactically competent evenly matched teams with huge stakes that Brazil has not had in a while. Additionally, this was the first game in the group stage that was played on patch 4.04.
Liberty picked Breeze, but TBK brought out a wild composition with Omen and Neon. This also marked the first time Liazzi picked up the Kayo for Liberty. Liberty got out to a poor start losing three out of the first four rounds. They won a big eco round in the 5th to equalize the economy, but TBK came back in the next round with an eco of their own. Liberty finally stabilized and won four rounds in a row to close the half 6-6. TBK got off to another hot start on their attacking half and quickly dismantled Liberty’s defense en route to a 13-9 final scoreline capped off by a kon4n ace on the Neon. Matheuizn led the way for TBK with 23 kills to 13 deaths on the Viper as well as a map leading 6 multikills.
It was a bold play for TBK to pick Bind as it was the site of their 0-13 humiliation at the hands of LOUD, but they immediately set out to right past wrongs with a 7-0 start on their defense. The triple initiator setup from Liberty struggled to hold onto any space on their attack, and TBK’s retakes were fast and decisive. Liberty managed to salvage three rounds for a scoreline of 3-9 at the half, and finally won their first pistol round of the series to start the second half. TBK proved to be much more effective on their attack than Liberty fending off retakes on the next four rounds to finish the map 13-4. This map also saw a rare Bind Reyna pick from tuyz.
This result eliminated Liberty from the playoffs and secured spots for GLB and TBK. TBK will play the third seed from group B in the playoffs. In an interesting turn of events, it was Liberty’s consistent double initiator core of shion and krain who struggled in this series. They will have to fend off qualifying teams from Challengers 2 in order to maintain their spot for Stage 2.
LOUD (2-0) Vikings
This was a meaningless game for both teams as LOUD was already guaranteed the 1st seed and Vikings guaranteed the 5th seed. This was equivalent to a high level public scrim where both teams could prepare in the new meta for their next games.
LOUD picked Ascent first where their only composition change was pancada on the Omen instead of the Astra. Back to back 4ks in the 2nd and 3rd round by Vikings kept them in the match on their defensive half, but LOUD calmed down and won the half 8-4. LOUD didn’t drop another round as they closed the map 13-4. It was a clean team effort for LOUD as every player was above 198 ACS and they won the opening duels 15-2. 29/42 of Vikings kills (70%) came from multikills including 4 4ks, but aside from the hero rounds, they failed to find much value.
Vikings went to Icebox which was the only map they managed to win more than 7 rounds on this tournament. In the first pistol, pollo got more kills than he managed in the entire last map with a 3k although LOUD denied the plant and won the round. LOUD played with Vikings throughout the half. The only two round Vikings won were the 3rd round bonus and a late round where LOUD fed guns trying to aggress into a Killjoy ult. Vikings survived some scares in the second half to reach a 4-10 scoreline, but LOUD quickly ended the match with the second 13-4 of the series.
LOUD are the 1st seed of group A and will face the winner of GLB vs the 2nd seed of group B. Vikings will not have the automatic invite to the group stage and will have to win their way through regulation matches.
Coming Up
Tomorrow:
FUR vs VK
ING vs NIP
All four teams can qualify or be eliminated from the playoffs and none of the seedings are set. There is a lot at stake for the final day of this group stage.
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