The first day of the European leg of the VCT Masters Stage 1 gave the fans what they asked for, VALORANT of the highest level.
The Polish underdogs of Ballista got the short end of the seeding stick, facing First Strike champions Team Heretics in the opening match of Group A. This match was a David and Goliath match in the making, especially when Ballista dominated the opening half on Bind, 9-3. Their relentless fast playstyle caught Heretics by surprise and there was no stopping the Polish side.
Things changed quickly after the half time switch when Team Heretics picked up the first eight rounds, and Ballista only managed to pick up one more round. Heretics survived the map onescare, but did they break the Poles? It sure seemed so when Heretics took the first six rounds of Haven before Ballista could respond. Taking five of the last six rounds, the Polish team were trailing 5-7 at the half.
Both teams continued to trade punches, and Ballista survived two Heretics match points to take the game to overtime. There it was Team Heretics taking both rounds, edging the popular Polish team 14-12, taking the series 2-0. One underdog performing against a top team wasn’t enough, as ACEND took Ninjas in Pyjamas to the edge of elimination. Despite NIP taking both maps, and a clean 2-0 to start Masters, it was ACEND that took the lead going into the later stages of Ascent and Haven.
NIP came back from a 10-6 deficit on Ascent to win 13-11, and had to find their best form to deny four map points on Haven, when ACEND had taken a 12-8 lead. The Ninjas managed to overcome those odds, and took the game to another overtime, the second of the night. Just like Team Heretics earlier, NIP took both rounds, making it 14-12, and 2-0 in the series.
ACEND will now meet Ballista in the Elimination match of Group A. NIP has to battle Team Heretics for a spot in the Masters 1 semifinals.
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Image credit: Riot Games