HITTING THE ground running, the Ateneo Blue Eagles decisively dispatched the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 2-0, for a blistering start to their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 VALORANT campaign.
The tournament opener was held this evening at the Quantum Skyview Deck of the Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City.
Joaquin Antonio and Team Captain Tristan Monsod spearheaded the Ateneo sweep, with the former attaining a 15/15/9 kill-death-assist (KDA) statline in Lotus and the latter securing a 23/16/3 KDA and a 269 average combat score (ACS).
Map One (Lotus – UE Pick)
Commencing their UAAP run in UE’s map pick of Lotus and with an identical agent composition, Ateneo suffered a slow start on their attack side after dropping the pistol and save rounds, 0-2. The Katipunan-based squad then found their footing as they took a 4-3 lead after a set play involving Stuart De Guia’s Yoru and Antonio’s Vyse in Round 6, and a triple kill from Alonso Gomez’s Omen in Round 7.
Continuing the Blue Eagles’ surgical and precise attack, skipper Monsod’s flanking double kill and a clean post-plant from the Blue and White in the ninth and tenth rounds provided the squad with a 6-4 cushion. However, the Red Warriors remained to be a thorn in the Blue Eagles’ side, with their aggression allowing them to pull the scores level at the end of the half, 6-all.
Despite Monsod’s spectacular post-plant clutch in the pistol round, the Blue Eagles struggled to placate the Red Warriors’ aggressive blitz in the next two frames. UE’s persistent attacks at the map’s extremities eventually led the way for two picturesque rounds by KM De Guzman’s Vyse, putting Ateneo in a 7-8 deficit.
With the game’s momentum continuing to swing between both sides, JM Amador secured a crucial Classic kill in an eco round, which reinvigorated the Blue and White, 10-9.
Following an impressive 3K by Antonio, the Blue Eagles marched into the 22nd round in stride and secured the map win, 13-9, courtesy of a textbook 1v1 clutch by Amador.
Map Two (Icebox – Ateneo Pick)
Eager to build momentum after an imposing performance in the second half of the first map, the Blue and White sought to sustain their composure as they eyed a sweep. Ateneo looked to attain the said feat with a standard team composition of Killjoy (Antonio), Sova (Amador), Gekko (Monsod), Viper (Alonso Lopez), and Jett (De Guia) on Icebox. With all eyes on the deck, the Jean Lowell Marcelo-coached squad started off their map pick on the attacking side.
The Blue Eagles took the first two rounds with intense discipline, winning their individual gun battles and using their overwhelming utility to win the post-plant, 2-0. With Amador playing his signature agent, the Blue Eagles looked confident to take on any site with their ever-reliable scout.
Despite Ateneo’s great opening play, the Red Warriors managed to steal five rounds as Nasif Somerado Macarambon played excellent defense and tyrannized the map with his Operator on Jett, 5-4. Despite the Red and White’s sudden boost, the Katipunan-based squad slowly came back as they took the next two rounds, 6-5. With winning patience, Antonio secured the first half for Ateneo by staying at spawn to take down two flanking Red Warriors, 7-5.
Both sides continued to keep the start of the second half close, with Ateneo winning three of the first five rounds to put them ahead by three, 10-7. UE then fired back, winning three consecutive rounds courtesy of Macarambon’s sustained firepower to threaten the Blue Eagles’ lead, 11-10.
Despite Macarambon hitting the 30-kill mark, Ateneo remained unfazed amid the increasing pressure, as Monsod’s late-round heroics led to a pivotal 4K that put the Blue Eagles at series point, 12-10. Lopez then closed out the map and the sweep for Ateneo, with the rookie converting a 1v2 clutch in the A site, 13-10.
Setting their sights on their next matchup, skipper Monsod talked of their chances against defending champions De La Salle Green Archers in their upcoming matchup.
“I think our playstyle is highly different [from La Salle]. They like to shoot, but we prefer to play in a slow, methodical way, [so] it all comes down to how we prepare ourselves physically, such as mechanics and game,” tonight’s game’s Map Two Most Valuable Player stated.
The Blue and White seek to book their place in the Final Four as they take on De La Salle University and National University on Friday, starting at 10:00 AM in the same venue.
Map Scores: (Lotus, Icebox)
Ateneo-UE (2-0): 13-9, 13-10
Agent lineup:
Tristan Monsod (Team Captain) – Tejo, Gekko
Joaquin Antonio – Vyse, Killjoy
Stuart De Guia – Yoru, Jett
JM Amador – Breach, Sova
Alonso Lopez – Omen, Viper
Group A Standings (Points Overall):
- DLSU Green Archers: 1-0 (3)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles: 1-0 (3)
- NU Bulldogs: 0-1 (0)
- UE Red Warriors: 0-1 (o)
