TSM TSM North America Rank #8 seven Johann Hernandez gMd Anthony Guimond and FaZe Clan FaZe Clan Inactive POISED Kevin Ngo mummAy Anthony DiPaolo TiGG Tanner Spanu BABYBAY Andrej Francisty supamen Phat Le Clan have secured their spots in the grand finals of Challengers 2 in North America. TSM advanced after defeating Luminosity Luminosity Inactive moose Kaleb Jayne mada Adam Pampuch dazzLe Will Loafman bdog Brandon Sanders TiGG Tanner Spanu in the upper bracket finals, while FaZe defeated Rise Rise Inactive and the aforementioned Luminosity in the lower bracket to meet TSM in the finals.
TSM and Luminosity kicked off the day's events in the upper bracket. Starting on Bind, TSM came out of the first half 7-5, and later swept Luminosity to win the map 13-6. Luminosity were no match for them on Map 2 on Breeze, with TSM going 13-7 to win the series. Sean "bang" Bezerra came out swinging, putting out a 294 ACS performance, including an almost won 1v5 clutch on Raze on Map 1.
Almost had it.Down in the lower bracket, Rise and FaZe Clan met, having previously played each other in the first round of the tournament, where Rise sent FaZe to the lower bracket. FaZe were determined to strike back, and they dominated on the first map on Ascent, going 8-4 in the first half before finishing the map 13-6.
Rise rebounded on Map 2 on Haven, keeping the game close in the first half at 5-7 until they pulled ahead with their offense in the second half, winning it 13-10 and sending the series to Map 3.
FaZe were not discouraged as they headed into the final map on Bind. They fought a close half to come out 7-5 with their defense. A pistol round win in the second half gave them the driving momentum needed to come together to close out the map 13-8, eliminating Rise to advance to the lower bracket finals.
FaZe met Luminosity in the final match of the lower bracket; the former looked to make it through the lower bracket that they've been in since being knocked down at the beginning of the tournament, while the latter wanted to seek payback at TSM in the finals.
The match began on Split. A pistol round win by FaZe gave them the start needed to finish the first half at 8-4. The second pistol round went to them again, but they were soon swept back by Luminosity as they won the next six rounds consecutively. FaZe halted their streak by winning three more rounds to put them at match point, but Luminosity fought back to send the map into overtime. FaZe were undeterred, winning both rounds in overtime to secure them the map win.
Map 2 went to Breeze, where the battle was more neck and neck. FaZe closed out the first half 7-5, but then Luminosity replicated their performance by going 7-5 in the second half, bringing the map to another overtime. In a case of deja vu, FaZe once again won both rounds in overtime - a final defuse sealed the deal, winning the map and the series.
FaZe will clash with TSM tomorrow in the grand finals. They, as well as Luminosity and Rise, have already secured their spots in the Challengers Finals, where they will compete for three spots allocated to North America for Masters Berlin in September.