100T Wins out 2-1 against EDG First map
not an official vlr article
The Omega bracket began with Team Secret upsetting Team Liquid 2-0, Kru losing to the favorites Na'Vi 2-0, LEV 2-0 Zeta. As well as Team Vitality 2-1 Global Esports and FUT 2-0 RRQ earlier today.
Omega bracket day 2 ends as 100 Thieves(100T) comes to challenge the Chinese team Edward Gaming(EDG) in Lock//In shortly after tournament wins in Red Bull Homeground and VCT NA LCQ last year which took them to VCT Champions 2022. EDG being one of the two Chinese teams in the tournament last seen internationally at Champions 2022 much like 100T they took an early round exit. EDG's Roster consists of five Chinese players that last played in the Chinese tournament FGC: Invitational which they placed second to the only other Chinese team in this event FPX, formerly FPX Zhuque. Notable names that were vital to their wins last year include Nobody, ZmjjKK and CHICHO who all contributed to this game as well. During the game versus 100 Thieves EDG definitely displayed why they belong in the higher tier of Valorant despite losing 2-1.
100T's Core roster changed though not as much than EDG's compared to last year. With the addition of Cryo in place of WIll, Cryo was mainly seen as the star player on XSET during their VCT Champions 2022 and VCT NA run. During the off-season 100T were debating on replacing more than just Will though their win at Red Bull Home Ground cemented how they may look versus international opponents.
An Omen pick by 100T on Icebox opened the series with a surprise as 100T led with an early lead starting on defense. EDG continue to follow most APAC teams as they pick harbor on icebox in place of a sage much like DRX. 100T lose pistol though win six rounds in a row shortly after. Cryo being their main op player picking omen is fairly random though he continues to keep it up as he does not let up on the operator use. After many defuses snuck and stuck by Asuna, 100T finally won the defensive half. EDG began to make the map difficult to close out as they scrape 6 rounds out before the end with wonderful calling seeing multiple rotates and amazing lurks by nobody. Though they struggled to close it out on offense with the final score being 13-10 coming out of an 8-4 half with 100T leading. 100T pull this out despite of an amazing 21-14 performance by EDG's star jett player ZmjjKK. Stellar continues his amazing performance from the off season with a match MVP 20-14 KD on KillJoy as well as contributing as an in game leader.
Much like 100T EDG open with a surprise picking the new map Lotus which has so far only been picked by a team in this tournament 5 times, though played six times as it was a decider in the game GE vs Team Vitality. This game opens as EDG win with a fast pistol round as well as a bonus round win. Unfortunately they cannot create momentum from a 2-0 lead as they then get flawless-ed against 5 sheriffs. Though EDG continue to fight back with a 4k from CHICHOO on killjoy creating a 3-2 lead. Stellar continues his rampage on a usually dormant role being a sentinel player and the caller for this 100T team. Players like stellar and ZmjjKK made this game just wonderful to watch with their early opening kills and stellar's multikills. 100T win the half again looking somewhat similar to last map. They close out the half 7-5 on the back of amazing showings from bang and their leader stellar. Though EDG had glimmers of hope through their controller player Haodong and sentinel player CHICHOO who looked amazing all day. Though once 100T swaps to defense they win pistol only to lose the second round to an EDG stinger buy forming some momentum. This momentum looks as if it is finally being stopped by 100T's timeout though EDG somehow win round 18 with kj ult, breach ult and 100T's astra ult setting the score to 10-8 EDG up. The map eventually concludes 13-9 with EDG closing it out with a 6 round win streak reminiscent 100T on the first map.
Stellar having fun during halftime showing off his Higround keyboard (#AD)
https://clips.twitch.tv/BrightBovineDootFeelsBadMan-4rXhUdG9LSlq62rW
The decider map begins with early aggression in B main from both teams, ZmjjKK spearheading from the defensive side. CHICHOO eventually closes the round with a 1v2. 100T try what they did in Lotus with a counter force though unfortunately lose the round ruining their eco, they are not saved by a flawless stinger thrifty on round three. EDG make sure the rounds 100T do win are scrappy as they continue the fierce fight, trying to bring it back after losing map 1. Each round goes back and forth, scrappy as can be as 100T look like they are going to close out their third but CHICHOO wins a 1v2 defusing with 0.63 seconds left. 100T try to break the loss streak by a timeout though they continue looking timid losing 4 rounds in a row. Though after winning a thrifty 100T make it 7-3 and follow that round up with another win ending the half 7-5 off the back of some nice shots from Cryo and Asuna. Pistol going the way of 100T as well as the bonus tying the score to 7-7. EDG win a few rounds later 100T fights back after timeouts from both teams where they win both, followed by an eco from EDG the score ties at 10-10. Stellar comes up big with a 2k through CHICHOO's viper ultimate sending the game out of regulation into overtime. First round leans the way of 100T as EDG attempt a defuse though bang finds the kills needed for the round from a lurk. The map is closed out 14-12 in 100 Thieves favor from a clean round, EDG will continue to fight in their regional tournament. A wonderful game all around.
No matter the opponent 100T will treat the game like any other despite the calm faces Cryo states "My heart rate was pumping up during the end". Which is definetely clear during the interview as Cryo stutters after breaking out of a third map overtime win. "EDG are a really good opponent [match could have been very different]" Cryo said when asked about facing different opponents. This game versus EDG showed some of 100 Thieves weaknesses which I will imagine they will be studying and reworking tomorrow with coach Mikes.
How 100T Won
Anti-Stratting. 100T show how many hours they put into studying this team even though EDG has limited film. This is clearly and repeatedly shown in the first map Icebox including an omen pick. Most people do not see the FGC games that EDG played in but apparently 100T did as they saw EDG played and won Icebox in all three of their last match ups. 100T have repeatedly said they are a study heavy team and that does not make them a weak team in fact some of the best teams in the league say the same thing including NRG and DRX. Will 100T be mentioned in the same breath by those teams? Only time can tell as VCT Americas begins March 26th.
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