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“We have to show that we did our homework” Giants Gaming to face EDward gaming again for Valorant Champions Playoffs qualification
The second last game of Valorant Champions 2023 will feature Giants gaming taking on EDward Gaming for the playoff qualification. The team’s played the opening game in Group A. After a close game, the result favored EDward Gaming and they moved on to face Paper Rex in the Winner’s game for Group A. On the other hand, Giants Gaming took on KRU esports in the Group A elimination game.
EDward Gaming falls to the Paper Dragon:
In the Winner’s game, EDward Gaming took on Paper Rex. Paper Rex and EDward gaming have already faced each other twice internationally. The outcome of the game was similar to the last two times with Paper Rex coming out as the victor. The first map in today’s game had Paper Rex’s double-initiator composition taking an early lead and converting it into a map win. Pearl was extremely close with Paper Rex coming back from a 6-11 deficit to force overtime. Paper Rex closed out the overtime, winning the series 2-0 and qualifying for the playoffs.
Press conference:
This was EDward gaming’s third time losing to Paper Rex. When asked about the learnings from the game, AfteR mentions
“I have always thought that we were really close to Paper Rex. About the learnings of today, I don’t think we need to learn from them. I think we did a decent job today and I acknowledge that they are a very strong team and also since they are a very high level team, we made a lot of mistakes.”
Haodong continuing the response says:
“Paper Rex is a really aggressive team, they have a very fast paced style, no matter if they are on defense or on offense. I felt like I was kinda slow reacting to them.”
Commenting on the similarities in their playstyle AfteR says
“Indeed we share similarities in playstyles but we have different definitions of being aggressive. I feel Paper Rex’s aggressiveness maximizes individual mechanics and ours is more of a combination of complicated strategies or teamwork.”
Adding to this, Haodong mentions
“A lot of people think that we share a lot of similarities but in terms of game content I feel like Paper Rex is pretty simple but they still beat us down”
With the loss, EDward Gaming dropped down to the decider bracket.
Giants take down KRU to secure a rematch:
Map 1
In the elimination game, Giants gaming completely overwhelmed KRU esports on the first map of Lotus. KRU had significant control of the map and were on their way to securing a dominant 8-4 score in the first half. But a combination of viper molly and well-timed satchels from Fit1nho completely turned it around from the outcome of a half from disadvantage to almost equal. The disrupted momentum catapulted Giants to a six round win streak and helped them close the first half.
Talking about the moment Fit1nho says
“ I knew I had two satchels I knew they had to plant, so I naded on the right side and used the double satchels on left to deny the spike plant. Momentum wise it was good, it was hard to win it with just two satchels. It wasn’t super important since it was before halftime in terms of momentum.”
Giants IGL rhyme added to the answer with “It changed the scoreline from 8-4 to 7-5, it was a good round to win”
Map 2:
Pearl was extremely close with KRU esports securing map-point. But Giants Gaming, brought the game back to equalize the score. Talking about the timeout called before the 23rd round at the 12-10 scoreline, Pipson mentions how KRU “were always giving up space and playing passive” and asked the team to “rush B and take that space.” The space was enabling KRU’s star Keznit to secure multiple kill rounds with the operator which helped KRU reach map point. The strategy worked and Giants won the next four rounds to take down KRU esports.
The win secured the rematch for Giants Gaming. Talking about facing Giants, Pipson says
“We need to do homework about our clutches. We lost twelve advantage scenarios and if we wouldn’t lose them we would’ve had an easier time. We need to show that we did our homework and play the advantage scenarios better and secure the round.”
The rematch between Giants Gaming and EDward Gaming will start in a few hours.
With both teams exchanging words, this game would be a start of a new rivalry in Valorant esports. For more updates on Valorant Champions 2023, follow Valorant Champions tour Twitter.
Credits: Riot Games // Valorant Champions Tour.