STORMING THEIR way into serious Final Four contention, the Ateneo Blue Eagles put on a dominant performance against the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 2-0. Following their victory, the Blue Eagles are within close reach of the semifinals in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 VALORANT tournament.
The group stage finale was held earlier this evening at the Quantum Skyview Deck of the Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City.
Sixth man Christian Owen proved to be the difference for Ateneo, as his Controller play led the Ateneo charge, punctuated with a 27/12/6 KDA (kill-death-assist) scoreline and a 340 ACS (average combat score).
Map One (Haven – NU Pick)
Starting their final group stage series in NU’s map pick of Haven, the Blue Eagles ran a standard agent composition comprised of Team Captain Tristan Monsod (Tejo), Joaquin Antonio (Vyse), Stuart de Guia (Jett), JM Amador (Breach), and sixth man Christian Owen making his Season 87 debut on Omen.
The first pistol round of the series slipped away from Ateneo, with NU converting a retake in the B site, 0-1. However, the Blue and White’s patient attacking approach dissected their Jhocson-based adversaries, allowing them to mount a five-round run via their executes and post-plants in the A and C sites, 5-1.
Unwilling to fall behind, NU proceeded to win the next two rounds with a Thrifty in Round 6 and by smothering Ateneo’s Mid default, 5-3. Both teams then traded the last four rounds of the half as the Blue Eagles’ C split and the Bulldogs’ flawless skirmish in A Long maintained the two-round gap between them, 7-5.
As the Katipunan-based squad switched to the defender side heading into the second half, Antonio’s Vyse as the Sentinel player converted a 1v2 clutch to secure them the pistol round, 8-5. Despite losing the next round, Owen then took charge in the succeeding three rounds, with his 4K in Round 15 and a well-timed Paranoia in Round 17 putting Ateneo up by five, 11-6.
The Blue and White’s disciplined defense continued to deny NU’s entry into the bombsites, with their skirmish in the B site putting them in map point, 12-6. The Blue Eagles’ impeccable clock management and defensive positioning eventually secured Ateneo the map, denying the Bulldogs from planting in the A site, 13-6.
Map Two (Icebox – Ateneo Pick)
Back on Icebox for Map 2, the Blue Eagles unleashed a lineup of Monsod (Gekko), Antonio (Killjoy), De Guia (Jett), Amador (Sova), and Owen (Viper). The start of the second map saw the Blue and White struggle to land their shots, leading to an early 0-2 disadvantage. However, Owen made sure to secure consecutive 3Ks to tie the game, 2-2, as the X-factor stonewalled the Bulldogs’ attacking at the B site.
Ateneo’s retake strategy continued to pay dividends, with Owen claiming multiple 4Ks to give Ateneo the lead, 4-3. Adding to their groove, a beautiful interplay of ultimate abilities by Monsod’s Gecko and Amador’s Sova earned the Blue Eagles their first thrifty of the map, 6-3.
Owen’s Viper then stamped his class to extend the Blue Eagles’ momentum, dropping an incredible 20 kills in the first half alone to lift the Blue Eagles to an 8-4 halftime advantage.
Eager to put themselves in good position of clinching a semifinals berth, another 4K from Owen pushed the Blue Eagle advantage to four, 10-4. However, the Bulldogs showed their grit, going on a 3-0 run that the Blue Eagles struggled to counter in their post-plant setups, 10-7.
Entering an ever-important Round 18, Owen’s Viper’s Pit caused havoc, allowing the Blue Eagles to fully control the site en route to their 11th round win, 11-7. With momentum fully in their hands, the Katipunan-based squad’s brilliant use of utility delayed NU’s attempts at defusing the spike, leading to match point for Ateneo, 12-7.
With one round away from a pivotal victory, Ateneo’s double-initiator composition showed its strength, as Monsod’s Gecko dropped two Bulldogs to give Ateneo a clear 4-2 player advantage. Amador’s Sova ultimately delivered the final shock dart to deny NU’s last ditch effort and complete a Blue Eagle sweep, 13-7.
Speaking on the victory, Owen shared his feeling of being able to directly contribute to the team and rising to the occasion. “I think it’s just absolutely phenomenal… [to be able to] do something [to help the team], but in-game it’s absolutely different,” the Map 2 Most Valuable Player said.
Despite the win, Ateneo will only secure a spot in the Final Four after a De La Salle University Green Aces victory over the University of the East Red Warriors tomorrow. The semifinals will be held on Sunday at the same venue, with specific times to be determined.
Map Scores: (Haven, Icebox)
Ateneo-NU (2-0): 13-6, 13-7
Agent lineup:
Tristan Monsod (Team Captain) – Tejo, Gekko
Joaquin Antonio – Vyse, Killjoy
Stuart De Guia – Jett
JM Amador – Breach, Sova
Christian Owen – Omen, Viper
Group A Standings (Points Overall):
- DLSU Green Archers: 2-0 (6)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles: 2-1 (6)
- UE Red Warriors: 1-1 (3)
- NU Bulldogs: 0-3 (0)
