Final Push: Valorant North America Challengers Last Chance Qualifiers, Day Three Recap
The North American Challengers Last Chance Qualifiers will determine the final two teams to join the 10 in the NA 2023 Challengers League. Challengers League is set to run its first split from 1st Feb to 14th Mar. It will culminate in a Mid-Season Invitational, inviting the teams who finished top eight in the league that split.
Two Spots Remain
The dust settles after fierce competition in day three of the Valorant NA Challengers Last Chance Qualifiers. The top 6 teams now remain from 256. Each team faces a double-elimination bracket in Bo3 format. Here is the full list of the teams remaining:
- Squirtle Squad
- OREsports
- Nearest Airport
- 99 Strength
- The Nation
- Soniqs
Matchup Schedules
With two remaining in the upper bracket, Squirtle Squad and OREsports, their match is set to take place on the 21st of Jan following the completion of the Lower Ro6 matchups. There are four teams remaining in the lower bracket, currently awaiting the Lower Ro6.
Lower Bracket Ro6:
Nearest Airport vs 99 Strength [2300 GMT, 20th Jan]
The Nation vs Soniqs [2300 GMT, 20th Jan]
Upper Final (Qualification for Winner):
Squirtle Squad vs OREsports [2300 GMT, 21st Jan]
Summary of Day Three Matches
UB QF
[The Nation vs 99 Strength] 2-1
[Squirtle Squad vs YFP Gaming] 2-1
[SHIFT vs Nearest Airport] 1-2
[OREsports vs Moon Raccoons] 2-1
UB SF
[The Nation vs Squirtle Squad] 1-2
[Nearest Airport vs OREsports] 0-2
LB R3
[Kitten Shelter vs Aspyre] 2-1
[UNTAMABLE BEASTS vs unfazed] 0-2
[VIRTUOSO vs Cosmic Divide] 0-2
[Happy2bHere vs Soniqs] 1-2
LB R4
[YFP Gaming vs Kitten Shelter] 1-2
[99 Strength vs unfazed] 2-0
[Moon Raccoons vs Cosmic Divide] 0-2
[SHIFT vs Soniqs] 0-2
LB R5
[Kitten Shelter vs 99 Strength] 1-2
[Cosmic Divide vs Soniqs] 0-2
Strafe Match of the Night
[The Nation vs Squirtle Squad] 1-2
As expected, this was a close series with Squirtle Squad ultimately taking it. Massive underperformance from the larger names on The Nation costed them the series in the end, with Jackie “Stewie2k” Yip going -21 in K/D especially notable. On the other hand, former Knights Academy player Jack “Add3r” Hayashi had a carry series with +27 K/D. All three maps had competitive scorelines (9-13, 13-10, 11-13). It was just a better day for Squirtle Squad, who closed out Breeze with four straight rounds despite being behind 11-9.
Favorites and Expected Matchup Conclusions
As it stands, OREsports are favored in the matchup against Squirtle Squad. The roster has left a string of 2-0s in their wake since beginning their LCQ journey. In the lower bracket, Nearest Airport has the likeliest claim to make the run, however, Soniqs is currently in the midst of a lower bracket dream run. Since falling to the lower bracket in Upper Ro16, they have won 4 straight series, with an 8-1 record thus far.
However, Soniqs will next face The Nation, the very team that sent them to the lower bracket. Either history repeats itself or they conquer their demons. The Nation is a semi-serious team up of former Counter-Strike professionals and Valorant young talents. Soniqs has been competing since 2021 and has kept the majority of their squad for the duration.
Watch it all live on Twitch, find out match details on either Strafe Esports or Knights Arena.
Image credit: Knight Arena