North American esports organization 100 Thieves have endured a rather disappointing spell, yet they’ve done enough to secure a spot in the 2022 Valorant Champions Tour NA Stage 2 Challengers through the Open Qualifier 2.
Their first attempt to clinch a Stage 2 Challengers berth in the Open Qualifier 1 failed, as they finished one spot out of the top four. TSM were their nemesis in the tournament, as they sustained two losses at their hands.
The first loss came in the first game of the Top 16, relegating them to the lower bracket. After a series of victories against Gen.G Esports, Evil Geniuses, and Knights, they were one victory away from qualification.
However, they had to face TSM once again and managed to win only one map in the best-of-three series.
Despite that loss, 100 Thieves did not let their heads drop. They came back stronger in Open Qualifier 2, putting together a near-perfect run.
Their first game in the Top 16 ended in a sweep over Soniqs, in what was a dominant win on both maps. On Breeze, they won 13-4, sealing the deal on Fracture with a 13-3 victory.
NYFU put up a better fight in the second round, winning the first map, Split. 100T quickly turned things around to win the next two maps.
Their final match to secure a berth was the most intriguing. With their map veto, Akrew chose Split, but it ended in favor of 100T 13-7. On Breeze, 100 Thieves were determined to close out the series in exquisite fashion and they did just that, ending the tie with a 13-1 victory.
They are currently one of two teams that have secured their spot in the VCT Stage 2 Challengers. There is still a lot of action in the lower bracket before the final two participants will be revealed.
Qualification is a big boost for 100 Thieves, especially considering the number of changes to the roster and at management level since the 2021 VCT Masters Berlin.
The NA Challengers 2 will commence on May 13, long after the final two teams have been decided. The 12 teams will be split into two groups, with the top four in each advancing to the playoffs.
Each team will be fighting for a larger piece of the US$200,000 prize pool, as well as direct seeding to the Stage 2 Masters, reserved only for the best two teams.
Whoever makes it to the grand final is guaranteed participation in the Masters. However, a first-place finish will see the winning team walk away with $50,000.
So far, 100 Thieves have only 15 circuit points and are ninth in the NA rankings. For a shot at competing in the Valorant Champions, they need to put together stellar performances in the upcoming tournaments.
If they manage to win the Masters 2, they will get 1,000 points to add to their current tally. OpTic Gaming are currently sitting atop the NA rankings with 750 points obtained after winning the 2022 Masters Reykjavik.
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