LOUD vs DRX VCT LOCK//IN Semifinals: LOUD triumphs over DRX to reach the Grand Finals

The time has come for the Alpha Bracket Final as we watch LOUD vs DRX at VCT LOCK//IN in Sao Paulo. And we are here to provide you with all of the latest updates pertaining to the match. Follow along with all of the action for LOUD vs DRX right here.

The last time these two rosters met was at Champions 2022, where LOUD came out with a 2 - 0 victory. Though this is a slightly different roster compared to last time, the reigning VCT Champions have looked just as devastating throughout LOCK//IN. Especially their fresh-faced recruits Cauanzin and Tuyz, who were instrumental in LOUD's win over NRG in the previous round.

As for DRX they have had a mixed bag of results at LOCK//IN. DRX are one of the few teams in the VCT that didn't make a roster change during the off-season. And while they have proved they are still a team to be feared, many will be wondering if this is going to be the tournament that DRX finally manages to reach a final, let alone win the tournament. Both teams stand as their regions' last chance for glory at LOCK//IN. But only one of them will earn the right to face off against NAVI or Fnatic in the LOCK//IN Grand Final.

The series kicks off with a trip to Pearl curtesy of LOUD. The Brazilians take the first two round to get the home crowd going. DRX responds with three of their own, prompting an early timeout from LOUD. The map is tied at 3 - 3, despite a heavy investment from DRX. And things continued to spiral out of control for DRX as LOUD continued to halt their advances on attack. Giving LOUD a commanding 9 - 3 lead heading into halftime.

LOUD takes the second pistol round to put even more pressure on DRX. The Korean side try their best to mount a comeback, but are ultimately unable to match their opponent's near-flawless performance on Pearl. Leaving LOUD to walk away with a well deserved map win on Pearl 13 - 5 and a 1 - 0 lead in the series. LOUD's Aspas is roaring to life early in this series after finishing Pearl with an impressive 24 kills and only 9 death.

After a less than ideal start for DRX, they are in need of an immediate reply if the want to have a chance at winning this series. With Icebox being their chosen battleground for Map 2. But things get off to another rocky start for DRX as LOUD manage to take the first four rounds of the half. LOUD's grip over the map is strong following an eight round win streak. But at long last DRX manages to get themselves on the board with three rounds of their own. Giving them a lifeline to hang onto heading into halftime.

LOUD hold a 9 - 3 advantage after the first half. And their dominance continues as they win their fourth pistol round of the match to extend their lead to 11 - 3. DRX get their fourth round win on the board, but are still looking at an uphill battle. They manage to claw their way back into the map at 11 - 7. But a big play from Cauanzin puts LOUD on map point at 12 - 8. This has been a much better fight back on the side of DRX, but unfortunately it still hasn’t been enough to cause LOUD to many problems. Leaving LOUD to take Icebox 13 - 8 off the back of a big defuse play from Saadhak and increase their lead in the series to 2 - 0.

DRX have found themselves in the deepest of holes after losing on their map pick Icebox. They would now have to pull off a reverse sweep if they are to have any chance to take this series. A feat that has not been managed by anyone in a best of five series in the VCT,

DRX take the opening pistol round of Split, their first of the series, and solidify the anti-eco round to give themselves a 2 - 0 lead. LOUD instantly respond with a round of their own. DRX maintain control of the map so far, and are managing to hold off LOUD's double duelist composition. MaKo is having a particularly strong performance on the map as DRX continues to resist the pressure from LOUD. Allowing them to take a 9 - 3 lead into halftime.

At last it feels like we have a series on our hands with DRX in control of Split. But LOUD aren't going down quietly as they win the second pistol as well as the anti-eco to reduce the lead to 9 - 5. DRX reaches the double digit mark, but it feels as though the momentum is starting to shift back in LOUD’s favor as the Korean side calls a timeout. DRX come out swinging from their timeout to put themselves on map point and reduce LOUD to a staggered purchase.

With DRX stealing Split away from LOUD it seems like DRX have finally found their footing in this match. DRX takes the opening pistol round with an excellent retake play. The teams trade out the next couple of rounds but it is still an early advantage to DRX at 2 - 1. Tuyz pulls off an insane play to prevent DRX defusing on round 4 to tie the map up. The teams continue to feel each other out in a fierce battle of wills, with neither able to gain a significant advantage. The teams go into the half level at 6 - 6.

The matches continues where things ended in the first half, with DRX taking the second pistol round. DRX extends their lead to 10 - 6. Their lead continues to build, whereas LOUD appear to have lost their swagger from earlier in the match. But one man who has risen to the occasion for his team is MaKo, who puts on a Controller masterclass with his Brimstone play. His 1.62 KDR proves to be the deciding factor in this contest as DRX takes Fracture 13 - 7 to tie the series at 2 - 2.

It all comes down to this. What seemed like a fairytale was now very much a reality with DRX finding their second wind in this series. And are on the brink of pulling off the first ever reverse-sweep in a best-of-five series in the VCT. Whereas for once at this tournament, it is LOUD who find themselves on the back foot in a series. With this swing in fortune it seems only fitting that this contest be settled on Ascent. A map which both teams have been very good on in the past.

DRX takes the opening pistol round in near flawless fashion to continue on from Fracture. The teams trade blows but again it is advantage DRX in the early rounds at 2 - 1. Cauanzin wins a crucial 1v1 to tie the map at 2 - 2. A moment which seems to reinvigorate LOUD as they take the lead at 4 - 2. DRX do just enough to get back into this fight as they tie the map up again at 5 - 5. But the hometown heroes come up big once more and enable themselves to take a 7 - 5 lead into halftime.

LOUD take the second pistol round as they start down the final stretch of this map. And the Brazilians look for a moment as if they have control of the map. But DRX continue to fight back into the game. And thanks to a collection of big plays, including a 1v3 from Stax, the Korean side put themselves in a good position to destroy LOUD's economy. But LOUD, fueled by the outstanding home support, come up big once more to take Ascent 13 - 8, the series 3 - 2, and punch their ticket to the LOCK//IN Grand Finals.

All matches at the VCT LOCK//IN tournament are being livestreamed from the Ginásio do Ibirapuera venue in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This single-elimination tournament features all 30 of the Franchise Teams competing in the VCT this season, alongside two Chinese teams who were invited to participate. Fans wanting to watch the LOUD vs DRX Alpha Bracket Final match may do so by heading to the VALORANT Twitch channel.

Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest VALORANT news and updates. Follow the live scores at our VCT LOCK//IN results page.