The Jackson “Minimise” White-led side bested the tournament favorites to claim a spot in VCT Stage 1 APAC Challengers.
AUSTRALIA — Bonkers reigned supreme over Oceanic superhouse ORDER 3-1 (Fracture 4-13, Breeze 13-8, Bind 14-12, Icebox 13-9) to secure their ticket in the 2022 VCT APAC Stage 1 Challengers.
The underdogs took the world by storm by capping off a dream lower bracket run, denying ORDER nor Mindfreak (ex-Chiefs) their dream of competing outside the Oceanic region after failing to secure travel to and from Los Angeles, where the 2021 VCT APAC Last Chance Qualifier was held.
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The Australian team is composed of two former Nebula players, Jackson “Minimise” White and Chris “NiceHacks” Wahle, as well as Riley “rDeeW” Wilkinson, Justin “skrawl” Lanzon, Nick “tixx” Quinn, and coach Jordan “Jordation” Frish.
Bonkers came through the open qualifier and took down teams to make the main event. They did, however, suffer a devastating loss to Iconic, bringing them dangerously close to elimination. They had a rough start to the main event and needed to battle back in four straight best-of-three matches – against Crismas Disciples, Honey Badgers, Funcrew, as well as Iconic, who sent them in the lower section in the first round – to secure a grand final matchup with Oceanic powerhouse ORDER.
The 3-1 victory against ORDER (Fracture 4-13, Breeze 13-8, Bind 14-12, Icebox 13-9) not only clinched the APAC Challengers berth for the team but also secured them the AU$9,000 (~US$6,471) first-place prize.
“We are going to put in even more work this time, even more work. We’re going to do much as we can; try to do us proud, and put us on the map.” Riley “rDeeW” Wilkinson said after the victory.
They will now turn their attention towards their first big tournament, which will also be Oceania’s first encounter against Asian teams. The remaining 19 VCT APAC Challengers teams will be determined by the end of the week.
The team list for VCT APAC Stage 1 Challengers currently looks as follows:
| 🇵🇭 Philippines Challengers #1 | 🇲🇾🇸🇬 MY/SG Challengers #2 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines Challengers #2 | 🇲🇾🇸🇬 MY/SG Challengers #3 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines Challengers #3 | 🇭🇰🇹🇼 HK/TW Challengers #1 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand Challengers #1 | 🇭🇰🇹🇼 HK/TW Challengers #2 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand Challengers #2 | 🌏 VCC #1 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand Challengers #3 | 🌏 VCC #2 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia Challengers #1 | 🇻🇳 Vietnam Challengers #1 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia Challengers #2 | 🇻🇳 Vietnam Challengers #2 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia Challengers #3 | 🇻🇳 Vietnam Challengers #3 |
| 🇲🇾🇸🇬 MY/SG Challengers #1 | 🇦🇺 Bonkers (VOT) |
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