VCT Game Changers APAC Open 3 is down to the last eight teams, with the playoffs set to start on July 26-30.
SINGAPORE – VCT Game Changers APAC Open 3 has reached the playoff stage, where the final eight teams in the tournament remain standing in the fight for the trophy, a US$10,000 prize pool, and GC circuit points that contribute towards their qualification for the US$35,000 Elite stage.
Beginning on Wednesday, July 26, the double-elimination playoffs will open with four upper-bracket quarter-final matches, which will be live-streamed in three languages.
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Six of the teams from Open 2 will make a comeback, including defending champions Team SMG, Orangutan X, FULL SENSE Sapphire, Rex Regum Qeon Kaguya, Global Esports Phoenix, and SCYTHE NWJ (formerly BIGG SCYTHE).
Making their debut in the Game Changers playoffs, Singapore-based Deviant Topaz will join the competition, while Anomaly No Charms, a team with the former core of Nigma Galaxy Female, return to the playoffs after missing out on qualifications in the last two Opens. The team led by Kyung “Tr1cks” Lee defeated Global Esports Phoenix in the second round of the Swiss stage, ending with a 5-1 record, losing only to Orangutan X.
Orangutan X and FULL SENSE Sapphire have locked in their places in the Elite stage by qualifying for the Open 3 Playoffs, adding to the roster of Elite teams alongside Team SMG, which had already confirmed its Elite qualification in the previous Open. Currently, RRQ Kaguya, Global Esports Phoenix, and SCYTHE NWJ are the frontrunners for the final three Elite spots. However, Anomaly Charms and Deviant Topaz are well-positioned to potentially upend this leaderboard.
The teams that have not yet qualified will be given another chance to secure a spot in the US$35,000 tournament through the Last Chance Qualifier, which is scheduled for late August.
The highlight match in the first round of Open 3 will see Orangutan X face off against Rex Regum Qeon Kaguya, in a repeat of the Open 1 lower final. However, Orangutan X has undergone a significant team restructure since their last win over RRQ, with only Neha “CaspeR” Sottany and Jefferlynne “Japips” Hernandez remaining from the previous lineup.
In their first playoff run, Deviant Topaz face a massive challenge as they are set to clash with tournament favorites Team SMG, who have maintained an unbeaten streak throughout the season since Open 1. In other matches, Global Esports Phoenix will contend with SCYTHE NWJ, and Anomaly No Charms will go head-to-head with RRQ Kaguya.
The winning team of VCT Game Changers APAC Open 3 will not only secure bragging rights but will also be awarded a US$3,500 first-place prize and 100 GC points, contributing towards their Elite qualification.
Below you can find the schedule for the playoffs, which will culminate with a best-of-five title decider on Sunday, July 30, at 2 PM SGT:
Wednesday, July 26
- 5 PM SGT – Global Esports Phoenix vs. SCYTHE NWJ
- 5 PM – Deviant Topaz vs. Team SMG
- 8 PM – FULL SENSE Sapphire vs. Orangutan X
- 8 PM – Anomaly No Charms vs. RRQ Kaguya
Thursday, July 27
- 5 PM – Upper semi-finals
- 5 PM – Upper semi-finals
- 8 PM – Lower round 1
- 8 PM – Lower round 1
Friday, July 28
- 5 PM – Lower quarter-finals
- 5 PM – Lower quarter-finals
- 8 PM – Upper final
Saturday, July 29
- 5 PM – Lower semi-final
- 8 PM – Lower final
Sunday, July 30
- 2 PM – Grand final
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Cover photo courtesy of VALORANT Esports
