IT DIDN'T TAKE long for the new-look Adobo squad to earn their playoff spot in Stage 2 of the VCT Pacific 2024 as they won their third straight series beating T1 2-1.
Team Secret now has an overall record of 6-3, at currently seats third overall in stage 2.
It was a tough start for the Pinoys after falling in their own map pick of Haven 13-10. It was a close affair with both teams ending the half even, 6-6. Team Secret looked like they were going to finally break T1 with a strong gun-round win to go ahead 10-9, but T1 would answer back with four straight rounds to steal the map.
Heading into T1’s pick of Split, it looked like déjà vu as both squads kept it close in the first half but it was Team Secret that would have a slight advantage as they snatch the last round from T1 to finish the half 7-5. They would carry on the moment as they shut out T1’s attack to force the decider on Icebox finishing 12-6.
In the decider, Team Secret looked unstoppable as they grabbed a massive 8-4 lead to end the half. T1 would quickly answer back as they prevented Secret’s gun round with massive clutch plays from newly acquired Korean star Kim “Stax” Gu-taek. They would go on to take a quick three-round to stay within reach 9-7.
Team Secret would still hold on as they managed to stabilize getting three rounds of their own and match point. However, T1 would prove unrelenting as they force four straight A hits to take Secret by surprise and force overtime.
It was Secret who didn’t fold under the pressure as young gun Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera would get a massive three-frag entry on their attack in overtime. T1 would not make it easy as they mounted a scrappy A but it was not enough as Team Secret shut them down in a hard-fought series.
Team Secret could've done better
“I don’t want to make excuses but I think we played fine, we played the right way. I saw them watching every round and making the right calls, taking the right fights but it just didn’t go the right way,” said TS coach Tim “dummy” Olson.
“We could have done a better job adjusting but it was fine and we pulled it out at the end.”
“For me, we overthink too much. We thought that they were gonna switch up but they didn’t and they did the same thing (attacking A) again and again until we just go and know that they (will) execute A.” added James “2GE” Goopio.
2GE himself had a stellar performance as he led Secret’s Map 2 resurgence nabbing 20 kills in Split.
“I think everybody contributed, especially with how T1 played. We also prepp(ed) with how they played and the comp they run on Chamber. So we just peek together as a team to take something and that is how we won the game (split),” said 2GE when asked about his 20-frag performance on Split.
Meanwhile, coach dummy had praises for his young controller, rating his performance a 10 out of 10.
“I would have to be a 10 because I really could not ask more from him. Even when he’s not getting those kills, he’s a really big backbone to the team in terms of the calls and the adjustment. The kills and the plays are just a bonus but on top of that he just brings so much to the table.”
Team Secret will have a one-week break before they face Gen G for their final group stage map on July 7.
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