VCT LOCKIN// 2023: LOUD move to semifinals, DRX to quaterfinals

The VCT LOCK/IN continued today in São Paulo with a supercharged match between the North American teams NRG and the Brazilian team LOUD.

LOUD Gaming faced NRG in the first quarterfinal match at the VCT 2023 LOCK//IN Brazil. Meanwhile, the North American favorite Cloud9 and DRX engaged in a best-of-three match earlier in the round of 16, with the winner moving on to the quarterfinals. Only three teams remain in the Alpha group after 13 teams lose games in the first round, Round of 16, and quarterfinals. Here are the result of the matches:

LOUD continue their winning streaks 

NRG had a strong start to the competition with victories against the Giants and KOI, but it was difficult for them to keep up with Valorant, the reigning world champion. They suffered lopsided losses on Split and Fracture, which marked the end of their run at VCT LOCK/IN.

The entire series was unpredictable, with stretches of total dominance from both teams. The Brazillian players display strategic teamwork and impeccable individual performance to secure a 13-3 victory on the first map Split. The North American team, however, showcased a brilliant fighting spirit in the second map, which went to overtime.

In the dying seconds, as NRG were facing the threat of elimination, Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks and Austin “crashies” Roberts propelled the thrusters to help the team secure a 15-13 victory and force a decider. The series, which was a cutthroat competition until the second map, got more charged up on the third map, Fracture.

Both teams displayed thoughtful teamwork and impeccable mechanics in the decider, which was an incredible ride from beginning to end. However, LOUD held their nerves better and overcame NRG in the second overtime to win the American derby and advance to the event’s semifinals.

DRX overcame Cloud9 to move to the quarterfinals

The rivalry between the two teams, which dates back to 2021, has existed for a very long time and has been a part of VCT. The NA team eliminated the Korean powerhouse DRX from the 2021 Champions when these teams last faced off, so DRX entered the match to exact retribution.

Vanity, Leaf, and Xeppa remain the team’s core players at LOCK/IN as well even though the North American team made a few adjustments to their lineup. Yet, compared to the players on DRX’s Valorant roster, who have been playing together since VCT 2021, Cloud9 has yet to achieve the best team chemistry.

Cloud9 kept up their momentum and dominated the Korean team 13-3 on Pearl to take the lead right away. Before they could finish the series with a sweep, DRX pulled off a comeback on Haven with a 13-7 victory and force a decider. The Korean duo Kim “stax” Gu-taek and Byung-chul “BuZz” Yu put on a lethal performance on the final map Icebox, boosting DRX to a convincing 13-3 victory.

Header: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games