IT TOOK a desperate last-minute push (and some luck against Oasis Gaming) for Team Secret to finally make the playoffs of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2022: Philippine Stage Challengers.
For them to finally answer the critics who argue that the team is on a decline, Secret went all out in their final group stage game, sweeping Action PH 2-0 in their grudge match encounter.
The series was headlined by some clutch plays from Jayvee "DubsteP" Paguirigan and Jeremy "Jremy" Cabrera, as well as the setups from Jessie Cristy “JessieVash” Cuyco.
How Secret dismantled Action PH
Game 1 featured a Jett vs. Jett battle between DubsteP and George “Georggyyy” Lachica, but it was the former who took centerstage.
In fact, his Jett garnered 19 kills and a 1.9 KDA average, bagging him the MVP honors.
His accuracy with the Operator and Jett combo overwhelmed Action PH, especially in Round 19 when he scored three crucial kills, and even brought down Action’s star player, JM “Sirodeathyo” Ignacio.
But he wasn’t just the only star in Game 1 as rookie Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera made important stomps by capitalizing on his Judge weapon, and even the opposition’s Viper setups.
Using the smoke from Viper, Jremy would position himself in areas where Action PH wouldn’t notice him, allowing him to surprise his foes with the close-range shotgun barrage.
But his heroics didn’t just happen in Game 1. Jremy carried on in Game 2 in Action PH’s signature map, Fracture.
Team Secret has always struggled here, but this match proved that the team has learned from their previous mishaps, including a victory in the pistol round — normally kryptonite for Team Secret.
Then came that final play as Secret overcame a 4-v-2 handicap, led by JessieVash and Jremy.
Has Team Secret finally discovered the winning formula?
Coach Chong Hoc “Fayde” Wah’s decision to field Jremy over Riley “witz” Go has certainly proved to be a game changer as the rookie’s explosion with his Raze has certainly pushed Secret to a momentous performance, leading to their ascent from the bottom of the pit to the second seed of the group stages.
However Fayde admitted in the post-match interview that he loves to switch and experiment between these two players.
"Both witz and Jremy are good players and I actually like to rotate around them to play against different teams and they're both actually in different situations. You'll see many different styles in the playoffs," he said.
But besides his arrival, the team was able to adapt to their foes as seen with their recent performances. Given what they’ve displayed, their local rivals and their next opponent in the playoffs, South Built Esports, should be wary.
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