Split seemed to go on forever.
TSM put on a show in an incredible comeback victory over Gen.G in the latest iteration of their heated NA VALORANT rivalry, capped by a 44-round, 10-overtime duel on Split only to push the NA Challengers Two opening series to a third map.
Beginning on Bind, Gen.G stormed out to a quick 5-0 lead, but retaliation from TSM tied the game at 6-6 at halftime. Gen.G took a 12-8 lead after a great defensive performance, with TSM only able to generate two more attacking rounds before Gen.G won 13-10.
This moved the series to Split, which got off to a fast start thanks to Gen.G. They started on defense and shut down the TSM offensive in the first half, dropping only three rounds. Despite dropping the second-half pistol, TSM was able to mount a defensive comeback on the strength of some fantastic highlights from Wardell on Jett with the Op, cutting a 10-3 deficit to just 11-10. Gen.G was on match point after a lightning-fast B push, but three kills from Subroza kept TSM alive and forced overtime. Overtime was a long standoff between both teams, lasting ten overtimes and requiring the server to be reset until TSM triumphed 23-21 to take the game to a third map. NaturE established a VCT record with 49 kills on KAY/O despite the map defeat.
Gen.G came out strong on Icebox, jumping out to seven consecutive early rounds, dissatisfied with all that wasted work on overtime. TSM, on the other hand, came back to take a 12-10 lead after an incredible run of attack rounds to conclude the first half, which was followed by a spectacular defensive effort. TSM completed the comeback in an absolutely insane 23rd round.
TSM advances to the upper bracket’s second round, where they will face the victor of Version1 vs. T1. A win in that round would guarantee Gen.G a spot in the NA Challengers Playoffs, where they could gain at least 40 VCT points, which they badly need if they want to be Champions.
Gen.G is still in contention since they have moved down to Challengers Two’s lower bracket and can still qualify for the Challengers Playoffs if they win two games in a row. However, a loss before the Challengers Playoffs or Masters Three Berlin would put a stop to their Stage Three run.
Their 45 points from Masters One may be enough to get them into the Last Chance Qualifier, but they’d rather not take any chances.