Team Heretics have qualified for the VCT Masters Shanghai playoffs after knocking out the home side FunPlus Phoenix after winning the series by 2-1, including victories on Sunset (13-4) and Icebox (17-15).
Both teams headed to today's elimination match after victories on Day 1 and defeats on Day 2, with the EMEA side defeating Dragon Ranger Gaming and losing to G2 Esports. Meanwhile, FunPlus Phoenix's 2-1 victory against FUT Esports was followed by a 1-2 defeat against Gen.G Esports.
Today's series saw two extremely one-sided maps and an eight-round overtime played on the last map of the series. While Team Heretics won on Sunset (13-4), the Chinese players redeemed themselves with a 13-6 victory on Lotus.
On the other hand, Icebox was just the opposite. Although Team Heretics finished the first half of the match with a 10-2 lead, FunPlus Phoenix managed to get to series point after winning ten of their eleven attacks. Fortunately for the European side, Team Heretics' players sent the match to overtime after winning the final round of regulation time.
From there, Team Heretics and FunPlus Phoenix kept playing overtime rounds as none of the teams could win their defenses. Finally, the Chinese side won a defensive round to grab a 15-14 lead, making the fans go wild as they expected the home side to qualify for the playoffs.
Unfortunately for them, it was just the start of the end. Mert "Wo0t" Alkan's ace on round thirty gave Heretics the team's third defense of the map and gave their team the momentum to close the series two rounds later. Overall, the Turkish player was the best with a combined amount of 76 kills and an ACS of 316.
With this result, Team Heretics have qualified for the playoffs of the VCT Masters Shanghai, only a few months after failing to do so at the VCT Masters Madrid. At the same time, this defeat means that only one team from VCT China remains alive, as EDward Gaming will make their debut in the competition later this week.
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