The turbulent VALORANT campaign of 100 Thieves in the North American VCT Challengers One main event is all but over, with today’s loss to XSET dropping the team to 0-4 and mathematically eliminating the roster from playoff contention.
Cryocells put on another star-making performance with his go-to Jett on XSET’s pick of Breeze. His site entry prowess made it easy for XSET on the attack side, as they took a 7-5 lead at halftime that would have been larger if it hadn’t been for some heroic defensive plays from jcStani on Chamber. XSET quickly extended their lead to 11-5, and just as 100T was gaining momentum, they surrendered a final round defuse with all five players still alive, falling 13-8 to Breeze.
Both teams used mirror compositions on Fracture and traded rounds back and forth in a closely contested match. After trailing 7-5 at the half, 100T retook the lead on defense thanks to some crucial retakes on the B site. They never looked back on Breeze, winning the map 13-9 thanks to some crucial defensive rounds (captured by an Asuna triple kill).
With the playoffs on the line, 100T debuted Breach on Split, putting him on the new addition bang. 100T won the pistol and anti-eco rounds, but XSET’s bonus round victory fueled their defense, with bang’s Breach unable to make an early impact.
XSET responded to 100T’s 2-0 start with 10 straight rounds of their own before halftime. A dephh triple in the second half pistol round put 100T on the verge of defeat, but XSET quickly kicked them out with a 13-4 win on Split.
With one week of play remaining, 100T’s winless record in NA VCT Challengers One means they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Cloud9, The Guard, Luminosity, and XSET will advance to the playoffs from Group A; either C9 or The Guard will advance with a 5-0 record following their week five matchup.