FunPlus Phoenix Sent to Lower Bracket of VALORANT Champions Istanbul by DRX
Former Masters: Copenhagen champions, FunPlus Phoenix, faced a difficult challenge in the first round of the VALORANT Champions Istanbul playoffs. South Korean team, DRX, emerged as the No. 1 seed from Group D and proved their dominance by defeating FPX in a grueling match.
DRX showcased their strength by confidently navigating through the group stage. Although they had the advantage of being the former Masters champions, FPX couldn’t withstand the relentless assault from DRX. The match between the two teams turned out to be the longest of the tournament.
DRX and FPX engaged in an intense overtime battle, after DRX squandered a 12-8 lead. The match showcased two incredible clutches by stax and ardiis. Ultimately, DRX emerged victorious on FPX’s map pick, Ascent, with a score of 19-17, giving them the match point advantage in the series.
The second map, Breeze, heavily favored DRX. FPX struggled after their defeat on Ascent, while DRX displayed peak performance. DRX’s early advantages, including winning four consecutive rounds at the beginning and end of the half, played a crucial role in their success. Stax’s impeccable performance on Breeze, in tandem with the team’s coordination, earned him the title of MVP-worthy.
After a dominant first half with an 11-3 lead, DRX maintained their momentum to finish the match 13-5, relegating FPX to the lower bracket. Zest proved his prowess throughout the series, achieving an impressive 1.42 overall K/D and an average combat score of 248 while playing as Sova.
DRX will continue their journey in the upper bracket of VCT Champions and will face Brazil’s LOUD on Sept. 12.
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