THE UST Teletigers Esports Club (UST TGR) exited the UAAP Season 87 esports VALORANT tournament with a 2-1 defeat against the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, May 10, at the Gateway 2 Quantum Skyview in Cubao.
Coming off a silver medal finish in last year’s inaugural tournament, the Teletigers ended this season with a 1-2 slate, tallying only four points throughout the elimination round.
UST initiator Nathan Manuta reflected on the reconstructed roster’s minimal time to prepare for the tournament.
“One thing I can say about the team’s performance right now is that we lacked chemistry. We’ve only had two weeks of proper practice, unlike before where we had around a month,” Manuta told The Flame.
“At the third game, I think my teammates got more nervous because it was their first time being in this big of a tournament,” he added.
FEU started the first match on Lotus strong, claiming a slim 3-2 lead while opting for an eco round. A 4-0 run from the Teletigers in the second half would inch them closer to the game, cutting their deficit, 10-8
The Morayta-based group then responded with a 3-0 run, including another eco round victory to snag the first match, 13-8.
In the second match on Sunset, FEU used a 6-0 start to build an 11-5 cushion in the 16th round. UST, however, surged to a 7-1 blitz to give the tournament’s first overtime matches.
The Teletigers scored three straight points, including an ace from Jared Dandan’s Omen in the 26th round, to secure the 15-13 victory.
With the final match set on Haven, the Tamaraws once again had a dominant start, 7-1. The Teletigers shaved their deficit midway through the second half, 10-5.
With the series tied at 1-1, the Tamaraws held on to their momentum as Andro Lapinid clutched up to claim the tiebreaker round, 13-5.
Later in the day, the UP Fighting Maroons defeated the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 2-1, to claim the last semifinals spot in Group B.
The NBA2K tournament will kick off on May 13, Tuesday, at the same venue. F – with reports from Christian Querol
