Sentinels and KRU Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with 2-0 Victories
On Day 7 of VALORANT Champions Seoul 2024, the stakes were at an all-time high as two critical elimination matches determined the fate of four teams. The tension in the air was palpable, with every round carrying the weight of a season's worth of effort and dreams.
The first clash of the day featured Sentinels against FunPlus Phoenix, followed by KRU Esports versus Bilibili Gaming. The losers would face an early exit from the tournament, while the winners would live to fight another day for a shot at the playoffs.
Sentinels 2-0 FunPlus Phoenix
Sentinels and FPX kicked off the day's action in a highly anticipated matchup. FPX came out swinging, taking control early on the first map. However, Sentinels quickly regrouped and showcased their superior strategic depth and individual prowess.
The North American squad turned the tide with a flawless defensive side on Bind, leaving FPX struggling to find answers. Sentinels closed out the series 2-0, cementing their place in the next stage of the competition. The win sets up a high-stakes rematch against Gen.G, their rivals from the Madrid finals.
Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro of Sentinels expressed confidence heading into their next matchup, emphasizing that the team is under no pressure despite the looming elimination threat.
"It's déjà vu all over again with Madrid. It's like Gen.G beat us first, we knew we screwed up, we knew we didn't show up with confidence. I think next match will be a lot different."
With their backs against the wall, Sentinels are determined to rewrite the script and secure their spot in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, FunPlus Phoenix's Champions journey has been cut short in the Group Stage.
KRU Esports 2-0 Bilibili Gaming
In the second elimination match, KRU Esports faced off against Bilibili Gaming. Like FPX, BLG started strong but faltered on their attacking side on Lotus. KRU capitalized on this weakness, using their momentum to dominate the Chinese team and secure a 2-0 victory. The win sets KRU up for a final showdown against Fnatic, a formidable opponent in their group.
Angelo "keznit" Mori of KRU is confident heading into the match against Fnatic.
"I think they're a very strong and consistent opponent. But I think if we come in with the calmness and with the mental we had today, we can beat any team that comes at us." (translated from Spanish)
KRU will be looking to replicate their performance and earn a place in the playoffs, but it won't be an easy task.
On the other hand, Bilibili Gaming's Champions journey has also come to an end.
Both Sentinels and KRU now stand just one win away from playoff glory, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges. As the tournament progresses, the pressure mounts, and every decision could be the difference between victory and elimination.
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Featured Image Source: Liu YiCun/Riot Games
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