LOYOLA GAMING (LG) Terra bowed out to the dominant De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Viridis Arcus, 0-2, in the Quarterfinal Playoffs of the Esports AcadArena (EAA) University Alliance Cup – Valorant Season 3 on September 19.
Facing off in the map Split for the first best-of-three game, LG Terra was off to a promising start as they secured the first two rounds. However, Viridis Arcus was able to counter this with a flawless all-kill in the third round, followed by a five-for-three kill in the fourth, 2-2. While LG Terra interrupted Viridis Arcus’ win streak by round six in a two-for-five exchange highlighted by Kenny “LG Nibby” Go’s double kill, DLSU fired back with wins in rounds seven through 10, 3-7.
LG Terra’s five-for-one exchange in round 11—highlighted by Michael “LG Flex” Uy’s double kill—was disrupted by two consecutive wins for Viridis Arcus in rounds 12 and 13, 4-9. The Blue and White started to regain their momentum as they secured rounds 14 and 15, 6-9, emphasized by Matthew “LG Matteo” Brillantes’ triple kill in the latter. They slowly began to close the gap by registering rounds 17, 18, 20, and 21, 10-11, but were defeated as Viridis Arcus claimed the last two rounds, 10-13.
Come the second game in the map Haven, Viridis Arcus quickly dropped a seven-point deficit against LG Terra, 0-7. LG Terra went on to achieve wins in rounds eight and 11, followed by a four-round streak in rounds 13 through 16, 6-10. A triple kill by Ron “TYR Grossof” Rieta in round 17, 6-11, then enabled the Blue and White to temporarily lose ground.
However, Uy’s tight 1v1 victory over Andrej “AD ya0” Yao in round 18, followed by Luis “LG doop” Carlos’ quadruple kill in round 19, 8-11, allowed LG Terra to catch up to Viridis Arcus. Two back-to-back wins in rounds 21 and 22 for Viridis Arcus, 8-13, would then take this chance away from LG Terra. Viridis Arcus won the best-of-three quarterfinals match against the Blue and White, 2-0. LG Terra will not be advancing to the semifinals.
“[The game] felt fine, it’s always been a team effort and we know that everyone can have off games. We just wanted to have fun in the end, which is why we kept laughing ‘din as seen on the stream,” said Uy.
LG Hydra sweep
Loyola Gaming Hydra swept Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Exos Haribons, 2-0, in the quarterfinals of Esports AcadArena (EAA) National Campus Open – League of Legends on September 18.
Both teams opened the first game of the series matching each other blow-by-blow, which saw the game being tied in kills, 3-3. PLM continued their onslaught as they secured another 3 kills, 3-6. The game saw its first five-on-five teamfight in the 21st minute, with LG coming out on top after Josh “LG Znake” Dinio secured his own double kill. Six minutes later, the Blue and White won another teamfight while Dinio impressed with his second double kill. Exos Haribons tried to mount a comeback after Dinio and Dean “LG Yobhel” Nucum were picked off, but LG’s lead was too big to overcome as the match ended at the 34th-minute mark.
After winning game one in a dominating fashion, LG slowed down early in game 2 as PLM built a 1-6 kill lead. Despite LG lagging behind in kills, the team made up for it through claiming different objectives. In the 25th minute mark and with PLM at soul point, LG managed to contest the dragon but exchanged the lives of their four members, 8-18.
Being behind by 5000 gold, LG capitalized on their synergy that saw Nucum land a crucial Orianna Shockwave at the 30th-minute mark for a four-for-nothing exchange against PLM. Four minutes later, Nucum landed another game-winning shockwave with Dinio claiming his own quadra kill.
“We were definitely feeling really happy after those last two shockwaves. We needed to win those teamfights or else we would be put in a position that would make it really difficult to win,” said Dinio.
LG Hydra will attempt to secure a grand finals slot when they face Mapua Gaming Society Mages on September 25, 2pm. Fans can catch their matches on the EAA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AcadArenaGG
LG Terra Roster:
Justin Ngkaion – “LG Dippy”
Matthew Brillantes – “LG Matteo”
Michael Uy – “LG Flex”
Kenny Go – “LG Nibby”
Luis Carlos – “LG doop”
Jake Uy – “LG Jeg”
Joshua Ulanday – “LG Rikes”
LG Hydra Roster:
Zed Dy – “LG Swapito”
Matthew Isidro – “LG Smexy”
Dean Nucum – “LG Yobhel”
Josh Dinio – “LG Znake”
Cheigh Tan – “LG Kieghron”
