LOYOLA GAMING (LG) Blaze shrugged off a slow start to dismantle the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Teletigers, 13-7, in their opening game of the Esports AcadArena University Alliance Cup 2020 on Saturday, October 17.
The Valorant tournament follows a single round robin elimination format, with each bracket featuring six teams. The top team in the bracket is then guaranteed an automatic semi-finals berth.
LG Blaze bannered a lineup of Sova, Cypher, Raze, Phoenix, and Omen while the Teletigers utilized Breach, Omen, Sage, Raze, and Killjoy.
Slow Start
After choosing the defenders’ side in Bind, LG Blaze jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. However, UST quickly countered with a 4-0 run, capitalizing on the Breach pick to effectively clear corners, 2-4.
LG Blaze quickly responded with a 4-0 run of their own behind the information being given by Cypher and Sova pick of Ateneo, 6-4. UST ended the half strong to finish at a deuce, 6-6.
‘‘UST really put up a fight since Bind was our strongest map, and Defenders was our strongest side as a team,’’ said Team Manager Patick Lanuza. ‘‘The fact that they were able to get 6 points off it was really commendable [for] UST,’’ he added.
Finding their groove
However, the game looked like a different match at the switch. Behind key entry frags from Raphael “LG raphtib” Santiago’s Phoenix that notched two quick kills, LG Blaze finished round 14 in 12 seconds to increase their lead, 8-6. As they continued their brilliant play, LG Blaze was comfortably ahead at the end of round 16, 10-6.
UST attempted to mount a comeback after stealing a win in round 17, but LG closed the match with three consecutive wins, 13-7.
‘‘We had some miscommunications lang during the first half, and our rotations were kinda slow,’’ Santiago said. ‘‘Sa T side naman (Meanwhile, in T side), we played really well because we were able to get the entry frags and execute our [strategies] properly,’ he added.’
With a win under their belt, LG Blaze will look to snatch their second victory against the Technological University of the Philippines Gearhawk Esports on Saturday, October 24, 5:30 PM. Fans can stream the matches on https://www.twitch.tv/acadarenaph.
LG Blaze lineup:
Janver Hugo C. De Llamas – “flacko”
Joshua Miguel B. Ulanday – “Rikes”
Dominic Simeon Hebron Juan – “LG skwamy”
Louis Ignatius V. Cu – “1ge”
Raphael Santiago – “LG raphitb”
Jacy Iago Santos San Luis – “zigster”
