VCT 2023 Pacific LCQ Predictions – Favorites, Dark Horses, Early Exits
| Tags: Valorant
| Author Najib R
With one more slot remaining for the Pacific Region at Champions 2023, here are our predictions on VCT 2023 Pacific LCQ
The biggest VALORANT event this year, Champions 2023, is on the horizon, and the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) event is about to take place with the remaining seven teams in the Pacific region. Names like Team Secret, ZETA DIVISION and Gen.G showed potential in the Regular Season of the Pacific League, but it wasn’t enough for a Masters and Champions slot. With another opportunity at their doors, we may just see a repeat of the League unless there are some upsets from the weaker opponents. After considering recent roster changes, League performance and our hunches, here are ESTNN’s official predictions for VCT 2023 Pacific LCQ.
VCT 2023 Pacific LCQ Predictions- Winner
As much as we like seeing upsets from the weakest participants of any event, the winner of the LCQ is likely to be one of the top-seeded teams who will secure the Champions slot, and our pick is Team Secret.
Team Secret
- Jessie “JessieVash” Cristy Cuyco (IGL)
- Jayvee “DubsteP” Paguirigan
- Jim “BORKUM” Timbreza
- Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera
- Adrian “invy” Reyes
- Evan “Warbirds” Olzem (Head Coach)
Team Secret were the only group that defeated Paper Rex and DRX in the Regular Season of the Pacific League, two of Asia's strongest contenders. Although their 5-4 record wasn’t as impressive compared to the top rivals, the Filipinos showed that they are a team full of potential, ready to face the mighty names of the international scene.
Going into the Playoffs of the Pacific League, we put a lot of faith in JessieVash’s squad, especially after looking back at their excellent LOCK//IN performance, which, even though didn’t bring them any victory, was still an impressive show from a fairly new team on a global stage. However, they failed to go past teams like DRX and Gen.G in the Playoffs, losing their chance to compete at Masters Tokyo.
Even though Team Secret’s IGL JessieVash didn’t have the best statistics in the Pacific tournament, we are predicting a strong look from him this time, along with BORKUM and DubsteP picking up frags. With the #2 seed from the 5th placement in the Regular Season, this squad will be playing their first match in the upper bracket semifinal of the LCQ.
VCT 2023 Pacific LCQ Predictions- Other Favorites
ZETA DIVISION and Gen.G are two of the favorites in the LCQ, with ZETA having the best seed at the event.
ZETA DIVISION
- Koji “Laz” Ushida (IGL)
- Tomoaki “crow” Maruoka
- Yuma “Dep” Hashimoto
- Shota “SugarZ3ro” Watanabe
- Tenta “TENNN” Asai
- Sawada “JUNiOR” Yuya (Head coach)
ZETA were one of the dark horses of Masters Reykjavik last year, putting the Japanese VALORANT scene under the spotlight with their excellent run and several upsets against the world’s best names. However, this year has not been much eventful for SugarZ3ro’s squad, from a 0-1 exit at LOCK//IN to a subpar look in the Pacific League. Still, they are one of the stronger names in the LCQ, with the potential to be one of the Champions’ contenders.
Similar to Team Secret, ZETA had a 5-4 run in the Regular Season and lost both of their Playoffs matches. However, compared to the Filipino squad, ZETA failed to secure any win against any of the two best contenders of the Pacific League – DRX and PRX.
With the best seed in the LCQ, ZETA will be competing in the double-elimination bracket against the winner of RRQ vs Global Esports. SugarZ3ro and Dep are likely to be the strongest members of the team at the event.
Gen.G
- Yu “TS” Tae-seok (IGL)
- Yeom “eKo” Wang-ryong
- Lee “k1Ng” Seung-won
- Kim “Meteor” Tae-O
- Kim “GodDead” Sung-sin
- Chris “Elmapuddy” Tebbit (Head Coach)
Moving to South Korea has been an excellent decision so far for Gen.G as the team is now competing in tier-1 events – something they didn’t achieve back in North America. It has been a good show of strength from the team as they managed to secure Playoffs with a 4-5 record in the Regular Season, defeating Masters contender T1 in a dominating fashion.
T1 took their revenge on Gen.G by beating them twice in the Playoffs, not allowing them to have the third Masters spot for the Pacific region. k1Ng was the best member of the team during their League journey, and he is likely to have great impacts in LCQ. Gen.G’s first match will be in the single-elimination upper bracket quarterfinal against the winner of the Talon vs DFM match.
VCT 2023 Pacific LCQ Predictions- The Dark Horses
Although these teams did not have a wonderful record in the Pacific League’s Regular Season, they have the potential to bring upsets in the LCQ –
Talon Esports
- Thanamethk “Crws” Mahatthananuyut (IGL)
- Itthirit “foxz” Ngamsaard
- Panyawat “sushiboys” Subsiriroj
- Patiphan “Patiphan” Chaiwong
- Apiwat “GarnetS” Apiraksukumal
- Jittana “JitboyS” Nokngam
- Yuttanagorn “Zeus” Kaewkongyai (Head Coach)
Talon’s core is not an inexperienced roster, as they have competed many times in international events against some of the best teams. Therefore having such a terrible performance with a 3-6 in the Regular Season was unexpected for this Thai squad.
However, the previous experience of the core that we mentioned has the potential to help them in the LCQ, helping them secure their second Champions after 2021. Their first match will be against DFM in a single elimination bracket.
Global Esports
- Jordan “AYRIN” He (IGL)
- Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar
- Abhirup “Lightningfast” Choudhury
- Park “Bazzi” Jun-ki
- Kim “t3xture” Na-ra
- Cahya “Monyet” Nugraha
- Hong “Eraser” Chang-pyo (Head Coach)
With Michael “WRONSKI” Wronski leaving the roster, Global Esports will be running nearly the same lineup compared to what they had in most of the Regular Season. From their debut in LOCK//IN, Global Esports was a team many believed in as the first Indian roster in the competition. SkRossi, their star Jett player, holds excellent mechanical talent, which has helped them leave a mark.
It’s safe to say that the squad didn’t meet the expectations in VCT Pacific, winning only three out of their nine matches. However, it is still a powerful roster that lacks rhythm with talented players like Monyet and SkRossi, who can help bring upsets in favor of Global Esports. They are facing Rex Regum Qeon in the upper bracket quarterfinals.
VCT 2023 Pacific LCQ Predictions- Early Exits
These teams are likely to have an early exit in the LCQ –
DetonationN FocusMe
- Yoshitaka “Anthem” Enomoto (IGL)
- Seo “Suggest” Jae-young
- Ryumon “Reita” Oshiro
- Tomoki “xnfri” Moriya
- Park “Seoldam” Sang-min
- Shogo “takej” Takemori
- Kim “HSK” Hae-seong (Head coach)
With a winless 0-9 run in the Pacific League, DetonatioN FocusMe undoubtedly had the worst performance out of anyone, and they only won a single map in the entire Regular Season. It was a massive disappointment as Seoldam, also known as the ‘Korean Jett,’ had a lot of expectations on his shoulder, but he never seemed to impress on professional stages.
With their first match being against Talon Esports in a single elimination bracket, we are expecting a 0-1 quick exit for DFM. While we love seeing upsets, it is very unlikely to see this Japanese roster go past the single-elimination group.
Rex Regum Qeon
- David “xffero” Monangin (IGL)
- James “2geMONSTAH” Goopio
- Emmanuel “Emman” Morales
- Eroll Jule “EJAY” Delfin
- Saibani “fl1pzjder” Rahmad
- Hagai “Lmemore” Tewuh
- Andrew “Bali” Joseph (Head coach)
Even though RRQ had a better record in the Regular Season compared to Global Esports and Talon Esports, we have very little expectation from this squad, especially considering their lack of experience in such tournaments.
However, RRQ have previously defeated Global Esports in the Regular Season, a team they will be facing in their first match of LCQ.