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Sentinels shut down aspas’ run for Masters Bangkok
The Lower Bracket Final of the VCT Americas Kickoff 2025 ended with Sentinels securing a dominant 3-1 victory over MiBR, punching their ticket to the Grand Finals and ending MiBR’s incredible run. The series was a tale of dominance, resilience, and heartbreak.
Sentinels started strong with commanding wins on Lotus (13-7) and Abyss (13-5), but MiBR roared back with an unforgettable octuple-overtime victory on Pearl (21-19). Ultimately, Sentinels closed out the series on Split (13-7), extinguishing MiBR’s hopes of reaching Masters Bangkok.
Map-by-Map Breakdown
- Lotus (13-7): Sentinels dominated from start to finish. Zellsis was unstoppable with 24 kills and a +12 differential, while N4RRATE’s 270 ACS highlighted his impact in securing early momentum.
- Abyss (13-5): Another clinical performance from Sentinels. Zellsis continued his stellar form with 18 kills, supported by bang and zekken’s aggressive plays that kept MiBR on the back foot.
- Pearl (19-21): MiBR showcased incredible resilience, led by aspas’ 37 kills and xenom’s 33. Despite Sentinels’ strong performances, including Zellsis’ 31 kills and bang’s impactful plays, MiBR’s determination and clutch moments proved decisive in one of the most intense maps of the tournament.
- Split (13-7): In the decisive fourth map, Sentinels regained control. Zekken led with 23 kills, while N4RRATE and Zellsis provided crucial support. Their ability to close out rounds under pressure ensured their victory.
MiBR: Aspas’ Heroics Fall Short
MiBR’s journey through the Lower Bracket was defined by grit and determination, with aspas at its heart. His record-breaking performances carried MiBR past some of the region’s toughest opponents, but against Sentinels, even his brilliance couldn’t secure victory.
Aspas was exceptional on Pearl, delivering 37 kills and a +15 differential in one of his best performances of the tournament. However, his earlier struggles on Lotus (15 kills) and Abyss (12 kills) highlighted how much MiBR relied on him to succeed. On Split, aspas managed top find 11 kills but couldn’t find the same level of impact as he had on Pearl.
While xenom and cortezia stepped up at times—particularly on Pearl—the team struggled to match Sentinels’ consistency across multiple maps. Their inability to convert key rounds on Lotus, Abyss and Split left them playing catch-up for most of the series.
The End of MiBR’s and Aspas run
Aspas’ brilliance throughout the tournament made him one of its standout players, but against a disciplined Sentinels squad firing on all cylinders, even his heroics weren’t enough. For Sentinels, this victory solidifies their resurgence as one of Valorant’s elite teams. They now advance to face G2 Esports in the Grand Finals with momentum firmly on their side.
For MiBR and aspas, this marks the end of an inspiring journey—one that showcased their potential but also highlighted areas for growth. Aspas’ performances throughout the tournament have once again confirmed him as one of Valorant’s brightest stars, but today belonged to Sentinels.
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Featured image credits: Riot Games
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