It’s simply disingenuous to think these teams WANT to lose in LOCK//IN. Even if it means they’ll do worse later, winning the tournament is such a boost to an org’s brand and fanbase, that it’s absolutely worth it. Plus the players WANT to win. Nobody wants to go home especially not in the first round.
If they lose, it’s bc the other team was better that day, in that match. Simple as that. If you believe otherwise, you don’t belong in a competitive scene, and you’ll get weeded out fast.
The only reason a team would throw is if they’re doing some ibuypower level shit for money.