In an intense best-of-three showdown, T1 defeated Global Esports on the first day of the VCT 2023 Pacific League, with the match going to a decider. After trading victories on Pearl and Haven, the teams battled it out on Lotus to determine the series winner.
Global Esports suffered a second consecutive 1-2 loss, while T1 claimed a victory in their league debut, beginning their journey on a high note. This marked the first time Global Esports competed with an entirely international roster. The team performed admirably but ultimately fell short just before the finish line.
T1 edged out Global Esports in a tightly contested match at the VCT 2023 Pacific League opener. The teams began on Pearl, GE’s map choice, where they struggled to find their footing as attackers, winning their first round after seven attempts. They improved in the second half, but with just four rounds to spare, T1 secured a 13-8 win. Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom shone for T1 with an impressive 306 ACS (Average Combat Score), 23 kills, 12 deaths, and 4 assists.
Haven, T1’s map pick, saw Global Esports dominating as attackers, displaying clear communication and coordinated gameplay. Needing only three rounds to win in the second half, they halted a demoralized T1 and evened the series with a 13-4 win. Kim “t3xture” Na-ra’s 339 ACS, 21 kills, 12 deaths, and two assists made a significant impact for GE, while Park “Bazzi” Jun-ki’s clutch plays captivated the audience.
The final game on Lotus saw Global Esports starting as attackers once more. T1 regained their composure after the previous map and managed to repel GE’s advances. Despite a promising start in the second half, GE succumbed to T1’s relentless pressure, losing the map 13-7 and the series 2-1. Son “xeta” Seon-ho’s 273 ACS, 21 kills, eight deaths, and eight assists helped T1 secure victory, with strong contributions from other team members.
Global Esports’ inability to close out the final game resulted in another 2-1 loss. Though they put up a strong fight, a series win remains elusive as they prepare to face even more formidable opponents in the league. It will be intriguing to see GE’s lineup for their match against DRX, with the recent arrival of Indian duo Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar and Abhirup “Lightningfast” Choudhury.
