Trust the process: Cloud9 deal 2-0 upset over 100 Thieves
- Cloud9 silences doubters with a 2-0 win over 100 Thieves.
- Cloud9 2-1 in VCT 2023: Americas League.
- 100 Thieves’ inconsistencies continue in VCT 2023: Americas League.
Never doubt the Cloud9 process.
That was the biggest lesson everyone took away from today’s series between 100 Thieves and Cloud9. Heading into this series, expectations were dead set on 100 Thieves picking up their second series win of the VCT 2023: Americas League. However, the scrappy underdogs of Cloud9 continue to prove that a team doesn’t need to be a superteam if you want to win games.
100 Thieves shut down on Lotus by Cloud9
Cloud9 opened the series with an easy 8-4 first half over 100 Thieves, to the shock of many. Every member on Cloud9 looked unified and prepared for any of 100 Thieves advances. This in turn helped Cloud9 gain more map coverage over 100 Thieves which led to such a strong first half on Lotus.
However, Cloud9’s strong form continued into the second half as well as the team was able to win the first two rounds of the second half to boost their lead to a 10-4 scoreline. While 100 Thieves stringed together a three-round win streak of their own, it was not enough to mount a comeback as Cloud9 quickly went 1-0 up over the match favorites.
Cloud9 secure 2-0 win over 100 Thieves on Ascent
The second map on Ascent saw Cloud9 continue its momentum from Lotus as the team ended the first half with an 8-4 lead over 100 Thieves. In the first half, the Cloud9 duo of Erick “Xeppaa” Bach and Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro pieced together strong performances on KAY/O and Killjoy, respectively. However, once 100 Thieves were given defense, the game started to fall into a stalemate as both teams battled their way to overtime on Ascent.
With an opportunity to take the series to a third and final game, 100 Thieves looked to shut down Cloud9’s star duelist Nathan “leaf” Orf. Unfortunately, Cloud9’s fundamentals and tight positioning helped the team put the finishing touches on a 2-0 series upset over 100 Thieves.
With this victory, Cloud9 is now 2-1 in the VCT 2023: Americas League and in sole possession of the third place in the regular season standings. The team will now look to continue their strong start against NRG next week as they make their push toward the VCT 2023: Americas League playoffs.
As for 100 Thieves, this loss puts them in the unenviable position of 1-2 in the regular season. Viewed as one of the favorites for a spot at VCT Masters Tokyo, 100 Thieves will need to bounce back against KRU and Leviatan in the VCT 2023: Americas League super week if they have hopes of qualifying for the postseason.
The VCT 2023: Americas League will enter its highly-anticipated super week next week as all 10 teams will play two sets of matches as teams prep for the halfway point of the regular season.
How to watch VCT 2023: Americas League?
You can keep up with the VCT 2023: Americas League by watching all the matches live through the VCT Americas YouTube and Twitch channels.