Viridis Arcus opened their season strong with a dominant showing as they thrashed the ADMU Blue Eagles, 13-4, and 13-6, in Day One of the UAAP Season 87 Valorant Esports Tournament yesterday, August 13, at the Hyundai Hall, Areté in the Ateneo de Manila University.
Aaron Sablay and Miguel Dy spearheaded the La Salle offense with 17 and 22 kills in rounds one and two, respectively.
Offensive juggernauts
Playing as the attackers, Viridis Arcus went on the offensive from the get-go, putting the pressure on their rivals with blitzing tactics. The first round started off tense, with both teams looking for opportunities for counterplay. However, the final 10 seconds ended with an explosion, as the squad from Taft, led by Derrick Ong and Gerardo Luis Corpus with two kills each, dominated the last-second shootout that resulted in a point scored and five kills for DLSU. The next five rounds continued in similar fashion, as Viridis Arcus piled on the kills while the Blue Eagles struggled to answer back, as the DLSU squad went up six to nothing, with Lucas Gruenberg leading the way with an 8-2-1 kill-death-assist ratio.
Down big, Ateneo finally managed to fight back as they snapped La Salle’s six-point run courtesy of Juan Antonio Rosales and Joaquin De Guia who scored three and two kills, respectively, to win the seventh round and secure a point. However, Viridis Arcus was quick to shut them down, claiming three straight rounds with clutch plays by Sablay and Corpus. Undeterred, the Blue Eagles continued to push, managing to go 3-1 in the next four rounds with some resourceful plays from De Guia.
Leading big, La Salle locked in for the final stretch of the first game, trying to extinguish any hope for a comeback. With four points in their way to a victory, Viridis Arcus put on their A-game and a masterclass performance as they closed out the match with a dominant display, led by Sablay’s flawless triple kill in the 14th round that left the Blue Eagles reeling. Ong and Corpus followed up with a decisive two-man push in the 15th round, further tightening DLSU’s grip on victory. With superior map control and seamless teamwork, Viridis Arcus outmaneuvered Ateneo in the final stretch, ultimately winning the last four rounds to secure a 13-4 victory in the first game.
Icebox inferno
The Viridis Arcus squad began on defense in a clash on Icebox, but the ADMU Blue Eagles struck first, claiming the pistol round with an attack on B site. Despite a valiant attempt from DLSU, Ateneo’s relentless push gave them the edge.
La Salle was quick to retaliate as Gruenberg and Dy spearheaded an aggressive defense, locking down A site. Dy’s relentless pressure, combined with Corpus’ masterful control of the map, rendered B site nearly impenetrable. The Blue Eagles found themselves struggling as DLSU’s strategies began to unfold, and the score started to shift.
The team from Katipunan tried to slow down the pace, attempting to outthink their opponent with pesky plays–the enemy Viper used her ultimate, which enabled her team to plant on A site, but the Taft-based squad persevered to boost their scoring up again, 7-2. Ong, playing Sova, proved to be instrumental in guiding his team with precise recon and well-timed initiations. In the next round, Dy’s daring flank on A site caught the Eagles off guard, resulting in two quick eliminations. This opened the door for a successful spike plant on B site. In a 2v1 showdown, Viridis Arcus held their composure, defusing the spike and extending their lead.
The Blue Eagles mounted a brief resurgence with a 3-2 run that saw A site working in their favor to defend after a series of failed attempts on B. But DLSU’s unyielding aggression and flawless coordination proved too much to overcome. They stormed through the remaining rounds, securing a commanding 13-6 victory.
When asked about their performance, Ong expressed satisfaction with the team’s execution, noting, “We were able to play our game and execute the strategies we practiced.”
Viridis Arcus shared their excitement for the upcoming UAAP Esports tournament. Gruenberg expressed his joy at the growing recognition of Esports, stating, “People are finally viewing Esports as more than just a video game.” He also emphasized his passion for the field. Dy echoed his teammates’ sentiments, adding, “It makes me really enthusiastic to do my best as we aim for the first-ever UAAP Valorant Esports title.”
With their blend of sharp tactics and raw firepower, DLSU exhibits that they are a force to be reckoned with. Viridis Arcus’ next match will be held at Dark League Studios tomorrow, August 15, at 12 pm against the FEU Tamaraws.
