MORPH Impact, Bob the Builder, and Cereal Killers are out of the US$25,000 tournament on the first week, having suffered a defeat from Team Frog, BEAST, and BIG GAMING ID, respectively.
After more than six months, VALORANT Champions Tour finally returns to Indonesia with sixteen of the best teams looking to make a statement in the new season. Yesterday marked the conclusion of the first week for VCT Indonesia Stage 1 Challengers that brought us the first glance into the upper-echelon of Indonesian VALORANT.
ALSO READ: [WEEK 1 RECAP] YGGP, FATAL eliminated from VCT MY/SG Stage 1 Challengers
| Group A | BOOM Esports | Team Frog | Fracture 13-6 Breeze 13-5 |
| Bigetron Arctic | MORPH Impact | Split 13-4 Breeze 13-9 | |
| Team Frog | MORPH Impact | Icebox 9-13 Split 13-7 Ascent 13-8 | |
| Group B | ONIC G | BEAST | Bind 13-8 Icebox 13-11 |
| Lords of Heist | Bob the Builder | Ascent 13-7 Icebox 13-9 | |
| BEAST | Bob the Builder | Haven 13-4 Ascent 13-5 | |
| Group C | Alter Ego | Cereal Killers | Fracture 13-6 Icebox 13-6 |
| BIG GAMING ID | Dewa United | Bind 1-13 Icebox 13-8 Haven 9-13 | |
| Cereal Killers | BIG GAMING ID | Split 13-15 Icebox 8-13 | |
| Group D | BOY WITH LOVE | Team Pelarian | Icebox 13-5 Haven 13-1 |
| Ethereal | F | Ascent 13-5 Bind 13-6 |
MORPH Impact vs. Team Frog – Elimination Match Group A
Icebox – MORPH’s pick – 13-9
Split – FROG’s pick – 7-13
Ascent – MORPH’s pick – 8-13
MORPH Impact’s early exit was the most surprising news of the three teams eliminated. The banner itself dates all the way back to First Strike Indonesia, which took place over a year and a half ago. MORPH’s origins in VALORANT stretch all the way back to First Strike Indonesia, however, the identity has seen multiple lineup changes since then. The current lineup is comprised of a ragtag group of potential domestic players. While the team only had little time to prepare, everyone certainly did not anticipate a last-place exit. MORPH was forced to accept a heartbreaking defeat against an unsigned Team Frog after also being crushed in the first round by Bigetron Arctic.
Team Frog, headlined by former Somnium Esports player “aem“, must still overcome either BOOM Esports or Bigetron Arctic, two of Indonesia’s biggest powerhouses, in order to survive Group A, which will not be an easy task to accomplish.
Bob the Builder vs. BEAST – Elimination Match Group B
Haven – BEAST’s pick – 4-13
Ascent– BOB’s pick – 5-13
Bind – BEAST’s pick –
The new-look BEAST are still in contention for the VCT Indonesia Stage 1 Challengers Playoffs after taking down the young and unproven roster of Bob the Builder 2-0. The lopsided victory on Sunday puts them for a rematch in the decider match against either ONIC G or Lords of Heist.
BIG GAMING ID vs. Cereal Killers – Elimination Match Group C
Split – CRL’s pick – 15-13
Icebox – BIGG’s pick – 13-8
Breeze – CRL’s pick –
Meanwhile, BIG GAMING ID will have to face either Alter Ego and Dewa United in the decider match after taking down Cereal Killers in the elimination match. Overall, it was a tight scoreline for both teams, but BIGG were able to seize control of the match when it mattered the most to secure the lead and eventually seal the series.
More intriguing matchups are on the horizon as the second week will define the teams worth remembering for Stage 1. It is just the tip of the iceberg to see the effect of late last year’s Indonesian major roster upheaval. As the scene matures, new faces will emerge, while others will be forced to keep up with the competitive nature of esports.
Thirteen teams are left standing in the VCT Indonesia Stage 1 Challengers, vying for three spots in the APAC Challengers Playoffs. The match-ups for the second week, which will kick off on February 18 at 19:30 SGT (UTC+8), looks as follows:
📅 Friday, February 18
- 15:00 – Team Pelarian vs. Team F (Group D elimination match)
- 17:30 – BOOM Esports vs. Bigetron Arctic (Group A winners’ match)
- 20:30 – ONIC G vs. Lords of Heist (Group B winners’ match)
📅 Saturday, February 19
- 14:00 – Alter Ego vs. Dewa United (Group C winners’ match)
- 16:30 – BOY WITH LOVE vs. Ethereal (Group D winners’ match)
- 19:00 – TBD vs. Team Frog (Group A decider)
📅 Sunday, February 20
- 14:00 – BEAST vs. TBD (Group B decider)
- 16:30 – BIG GAMING ID vs. TBD (Group C decider)
- 19:00 – TBD vs. TBD (Group D decider)
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Cover photo courtesy of VALORANT Esports/Riot Games
