T1 Defeats Global Esports in VCT 2023 Pacific League Debut
The journey begins on a bright/sad note!
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Global Esports locked horns against T1 on the opening day of the VCT 2023 Pacific League in an intense best-of-three match that went down to a decider. Both teams exchanged wins on each other's map picks, Pearl and Haven, before brawling it out on Lotus for securing the series.
An unfortunate Global Esports had to satisfy with a 1-2 loss for the second time in a row, while T1 secured a win in its league debut, starting their campaign on a positive note.
This was also the first time that Global Esports was competing with a completely international lineup. The team did well but ran out of fuel with the finish line well within their sights.
T1 takes down Global Esports in a close opening match at the VCT 2023: Pacific League
The first game between the two teams took place on Pearl, GE's map pick where they failed to find a good start as attackers, winning their first round after seven failed attempts. They managed to get a better start in the second half but with only four rounds to spare it was a tall order and T1 walked away with a 13-8 win.
Byeon "Munchkin" Sang-beom was the standout player for T1 with an astounding ACS (Average Combat Score) of 306, achieved on the back of 23 kills, 12 deaths, and 4 assists.
The second game took place on Haven, T1's map pick, where Global Esports once again started as attackers but this time they went on to dominate, hitting the sites hard with clear communication and synchronized gameplay.
With three rounds to win in the second half, it did not take much of a hold to stop a demoralized T1 and draw out the series with a 13-4 win.
Kim "t3xture" Na-ra was the difference maker for GE with an ACS of 339 backed by 21 kills, 12 deaths, and two assists. However, it was the clutch plays from Park "Bazzi" Jun-ki that won over the audience and made them erupt in a burst of celebration time and again.
The third and final game was played on Lotus, where for the third time tonight Global Esports took on the role of attackers in the first half. This time T1 found their composure after getting whiplashed ion the previous map and managed to fend off GE's advances.
Going into the second half with a four-round deficit, GE despite a hopeful start was overwhelmed by T1's steady hits across the map, conceding the map 13-7 and with it the series 2-1.
Son "xeta" Seon-ho was the difference maker for T1, leading with an ACS of 273 with 21 kills, eight deaths, and eight assists, with other members also chipping in considerably well to take them across the finish line.
Once again Global Esports was able to exchange maps and push the match to a decider but somehow they are still not able to close out the final game, giving way to a second 2-1 loss on the trot.
Yes, they put up a solid fight but a series win still evades them and they are yet to face tougher opponents further in the league. It will be interesting to see what lineup GE step out with in their next match against DRX following the arrival of thei Indian duo, Ganesh "SkRossi" Gangadhar and Abhirup "Lightningfast" Choudhury.
