Team Secret just pulled off the biggest upset at VCT Lock//In, defeating Team Liquid 2-0 in the opening match of the omega bracket.
The all-Filipino squad’s star player Jessie “JessieVash” Cristy Cuyco, put on an incredible performance against one of the top-ranked European teams in the tournament.
The 33-year-old finished with the highest combined ACS (average combat score) with 273, according to vlr.gg. During the post-game press conference, Jessie explained how his age actually played a part in the huge upset win.
- Harbor will be a good pick for Icebox and it will be the new meta, says DRX stax
- NRG Esports Chet explains why they haven’t changed agent comps on Icebox since last year
Team Secret’s JessieVash says they’re better than Team Liquid at VCT Lock//In
Both teams had made roster changes before the VCT 2023 season. Liquid signed former Gambit Esports stars, and Masters Berlin champions Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin and Igor “Redgar” Vlasov. Despite the additional firepower, Secret mopped the floor.
Secret shined on defense on their opening map pick, Icebox. They shut down Liquid’s pushes and lurk plays and quickly took a 10-2 lead.
The European squad rallied back and won six straight rounds after the half, but the deficit was too much for them to overcome. Secret eventually won 13-8 and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
On the following map, Fracture, Secret took another commanding 9-3 lead while on defense and finished 13-7 for the series win.
After the match, Jessie explained that while many expected them to get eliminated early, they never doubted themselves for a second.
“I do feel like this was the result we were expecting, even though 90% of the people in the world expect us to lose,” he said.
“I feel like we’re a better team, seeing as they have just been playing for a very short time,” he continued. “Seeing them streaming a lot, I really feel they’re just kids, and they’re so easy to read.”
Two days before their match, Jessie turned 33, which made him the second oldest player at VCT Lock//In after NAVI’s Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov, who is just a few months older. The Filipino player proved again that age is just a number.
“I’ve been holding a mouse and keyboard for almost two decades already and that’s one of the advantages I have,” he said.
“The gap was too much for them,” he said. “I just overheated too much, and I threw some rounds. If we were more serious, they could not get close to us.”
Team Secret is now set to face another powerhouse team from the EMEA in the next round. The Filipino squad will go up against Natus Vincere on February 25 at 9:00 a.m. PST | 5:00 p.m. GMT | 2:00 p.m. BRT | February 26, 1:00 a.m. GMT+8.
Valorant fans can watch the matches live on Riot Games’ official Twitch and YouTube channels.
READ MORE: LOUD and NRG’s epic rivalry shatters VCT LOCK//IN peak viewership record
