100 Thieves Defeat Cloud9 in NA VALORANT LCQ
100 Thieves continues their impressive lower bracket run in the NA VALORANT Champions Tour Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) with a decisive 2-0 win over Cloud9. This win sets up a rematch in the lower bracket final with recent rivals FaZe Clan.
Cloud9 surprised 100 Thieves on their Haven pick by using a unique agent comp. They put leaf back on Jett and mitch on Killjoy, opting to go without the Chamber crutch. Although Cloud9 initially took the lead with a 5-1 advantage on defense, 100 Thieves rallied after a timeout and a thrifty round win. Will stepped up for 100 Thieves on Chamber, leading them to win six straight attack rounds and take a 7-5 first half lead despite their slow start.
100 Thieves maintained their momentum after switching to defense. Just when Cloud9 tried to stop their lead from growing, they lost another devastating thrifty round to Sheriffs, allowing 100 Thieves to take a commanding 12-7 lead. In the end, 100 Thieves won decisively with a 13-7 victory on Ascent.
Fracture started with a strong performance from Stellar, who secured a Frenzy 4k to give 100 Thieves the opening pistol round on defense. However, Cloud9 found success attacking the A site through a double-sided attack strategy. Both teams traded rounds throughout the first half, but 100 Thieves managed to win crucial defensive rounds after a timeout and take a 7-5 lead at half-time.
Cloud9 quickly tied the map after winning the pistol and anti-eco rounds on defense. Curry’s one-vs-three clutch retake in the bonus round should have been a momentum-shifter for Cloud9. Unfortunately, another costly thrifty round loss, anchored by a Derrek post-plant play, halted their run. Ultimately, 100 Thieves dominated with three straight punishing attack rounds and closed out the series with a 13-10 victory on Fracture.
With the post-Stage One resurgence of 100 Thieves, this young core of players is thriving under the guidance of coach Sean Gares. Their next match is against familiar foe FaZe Clan, whom they have faced three times during Stage Two and this LCQ. FaZe Clan emerged victorious in the last two encounters.
The upcoming best-of-five match between 100 Thieves and FaZe Clan on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 3pm CT will determine the winner of this year’s rivalry. The winner will move on to face The Guard on Sunday for a chance to qualify for VCT Champions 2022.
100 Thieves, Cloud9, VALORANT, Champions Tour, Last Chance Qualifier, lower bracket, NA, FaZe Clan, rivalry, VCT Champions 2022