Both regional top seeds DRX and EDG took down Sentinels and Team Liquid respectively in 2-0 fashion on day one of VCT Masters Bangkok
EDG takes down Team Liquid in a thrilling opener
THAILAND — The opening match of VCT Masters Bangkok 2025 saw EMEA’s second seed Team Liquid face off against 2024 world champions and China’s first seed EDward Gaming. Both teams had faced off three times before, with TL coming out on top every single game. However, while EDG had only changed one player on the roster (S1Mon) since the last time they’d faced off at the Afreeca TV OFF//SEASON event, TL only had two members remaining, with the roster having undergone a comprehensive rebuild around nAts and Keiko since.
“It was sad to watch Heretics lose (to EDG) last year, but now I have the power in my own hand.”
– TL paTiTek
The map veto saw Liquid picking Split as the first map of play, with them starting out on defense. The pistol went in their favor, helping them get to a 2-1 start with EDG winning out their rifle round. Round four saw both teams having a full buy, but a massive 4K from nobody ensured Liquid’s economy was broken. The first operator purchase in-game saw kamo find a huge opening in round six with Keiko closing out the round with a 3K. Liquid were able to push the score to 6-4 with two 3Ks from nAts and paTiTek. However, CHICHOO found two consecutive 3Ks to tie up the half 6-6.
The second half again was very back and forth, with EDG winning out the first three rounds of the half. Another 3K from nAts helped Liquid close out a thrifty to bring the score to 9-7. The game continued in a back and forth fashion, with the score coming up to 11-11. However, Smoggy won the most insane 1v3, being able to defuse the spike right under Liquid’s nose to get his team to match point. TL were able to clutch up to push the game to OT, and both teams continued to struggle to close out a win, with EDG getting to match point multiple times. Eventually, the Chinese representatives took their opponent’s map 18-16, with CHICHOO clearly the map’s MVP with the highest ACS, most kills, and a 38% headshot percentage.
Map two was Pearl, where EDG were running a double initiator comp with Tejo and Fade, while TL opted for a double sentinel comp with a Vyse and Chamber. TL started off on the attack, once again taking the opening pistol and anti-eco. EDG were able to win their buy-round, and once again both teams seemed balanced on paper as they tied up the score 3-3. TL won the next two rounds, but EDG countered by winning the last four rounds of the half, off of a 4K from Smoggy and two 3Ks from S1Mon and CHICHOO, ending the half with a slight lead at 7-5.
After the side swap though, EDG looked like a whole other beast. They won the pistol, then the next four rounds in a row to get themselves to 12-5 — match and series point. TL would only be able to win one more round before EDG closed it out, putting up an almost flawless defensive side to take the map 13-5 and the series 2-0.
The hero of the series was CHICHOO, topping the board with 266 ACS, 54 kills, and an insane +19 kill differential. Right behind him was Kangkang, who had 14 first kills throughout the series. In comparison, TL’s kamo who had the best stats on his team, had 48 kills and nine first kills.
“I hope to face Trace Esports next, firstly because we want them to do well, secondly, because it’s easier for us to win against them.”
– EDG nobody
While TL will need to win the next game and then another qualification match, EDG are now one more win away from making it to the playoffs.
DRX roll over SEN with a 2-0 win
Similar to the previous series, both DRX and Sentinels had faced off twice in the past, with SEN coming out on top both times. Now with a rematch on the cards after 2024, this was DRX’s chance for redemption and to show off the power of their rebuilt roster. Meanwhile, SEN had bang and N4RRATE join their squad after the 2024 season, and after narrowly missing out on the Americas trophy, they were on the hunt for a win.
Map one was Lotus, chosen by SEN. The team composition was similar to the comp SEN had played most since the off-season began, with a Vyse in place of the KJ. However, DRX were leaning into a comp featuring Yoru and Tejo, with Free1ng playing only Tejo throughout Kickoff.
“Tejo as an agent is overpowered right now, so when I pilot him, I feel super confident.”
– DRX free1ng
DRX got off to a blistering start on the attacking side. They won the first pistol and the follow-up, with SEN finding a win on their buy-round. DRX however, were quick to capitalize on their own rifle purchase, being able to win the next three rounds quite comfortably, bringing the score to 5-1. After a timeout, SEN looked like they were back in the driver’s seat with two successful retake rounds, but a massive victory with the help of Tejo’s Armageddon ult saw DRX get back to their winning ways. In fact, that was the last round DRX would drop in the half as they ended it 9-3.
While SEN hoped for a comeback in the second half, an ace from Free1ng in the pistol absolutely decimated them, and DRX dominated the rest of the map, not letting SEN find a single round. They were able to shut SEN down 13-3, stealing their opponent’s map pick away. There was a team diff across the board, with every DRX player going positive in terms of KD while the opposite was true for SEN. Free1ng was the MVP, with a 310 ACS and +13 kill differential, popping off in terms of not just stats but some incredibly impactful utility on the Tejo.
Map two was DRX’s pick, Haven, where once again, the Yoru/Tejo duo came into play for DRX, while SEN opted for a Jett instead. Sentinels won their first pistol round of the day, but DRX jumped into business once they had their full buy, winning out three rounds in a row before SEN achieved the same feat to bring the score to 5-3. DRX were able to clutch out the next round, with BeYN sticking the defuse right under SEN’s nose, and this round gave them the momentum to steal the lead away, 6-5. SEN won the last round to tie up the half 6-6, but DRX were now on the attacking side.
Once again, free1ng popped off in the pistol with a 3K to ensure DRX regained the lead, and this surge of momentum translated into winning the next three rounds, including DRX’s bonus buy, to bring the score up to 10-6. SEN bounced back in their next buy round with a win. Bang also activated his trap card, finding first a 4K then two 3Ks to let SEN bring the score to 11-10. At this juncture, it looked like SEN had a chance at a comeback, but DRX were not letting their lead slip away any further. The next round, SEN used their Tejo ult to try and deny a plant, but DRX narrowly found a corner and defended the plant successfully. This was the final nail in the coffin, with DRX closing out the last round almost anticlimactically to win Haven 13-10 and the series 2-0. On Haven, Flashback had been an absolute menace, finding 26 kills and a 281 ACS, the highest on the server — on Cypher.
The overall MVP of the series was definitely free1ng though, with six first kills and the highest ACS on the server, all on Tejo. Four out of five players went positive on DRX’s side in terms of K/D but for SEN, only one player even managed to break even. Despite many having their doubts about DRX’s rebuild, they had won Pacific Kickoff and now had taken down Sentinels on the international stage.
“It was a long process, and the first iteration of DRX was really good – we used to win a lot of events pre-franchise. When it comes to this iteration, I’ve been very satisfied with their performance. The players and coaching staff are both full of confidence, and I want to give credit to Hyunmin and Free1ng for stepping up.”
– DRX coach Termi on the current iteration of the team and how he’s feeling.
DRX are now only one more win away from the playoffs, while SEN cannot afford another loss in their upcoming games.
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Cover photo courtesy of VALORANT Champions Tour
