VCT Pacific LCQ: Zeta Division stands tall after record-setting Overtime thriller with RRQ

It's Zeta Division versus Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) in the first match of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: Pacific Last Chance Qualifier (VCT Pacific LCQ) semifinals. Both sides find themselves only a couple of games away from clinching the final Pacific League slot for Champions 2023, which should provide us with plenty of excitement. We will be here to bring you all of the action as it happens.

It's the enigmatic RRQ versus the ever dangerous Zeta Division to kick us off in the VCT Pacific LCQ semifinals. RRQ were the 2-0 victors over Global Esports (GE) in their last match out on the LCQ stage. Although they were able to waltz their way past GE, the players on the Indonesian team now find themselves up against a much more formidable opponent in Zeta Division.

The pair last met each other back in Week 2 of the regular season, where we were treated to an absolute thriller of a match — one where Zeta Division came out on top with a score of 2-1. Since then, both teams have had somewhat of a forgettable season up till now, with Zeta failing to qualify for Masters Tokyo after being eliminated from the VCT Pacific playoff stage early in the proceedings. This provides them with some extra motivation to succeed at the LCQ.

While this is not quite a David versus Goliath scenario, there is still a clear favorite in this match. But will Zeta Division be able to rise to the occasion this time around, or will RRQ dispatch another team on the road to securing a spot at Champions 2023? We shall soon find out.

We begin this match with a trip to Haven for Map 1, curtesy of RRQ. And we get a near mirror match in terms of the agent compositions, as both teams opt to go for a double initiator setup. With the key difference being 2GE on Astra and SugarZ3ro on Omen.

RRQ take the first pistol round of the map, as well as their anti-eco to get their defensive half off to a good start. And they are able to go on an early streak of rounds as their lead builds to 5 - 0. Zeta are able to disrupt their momentum enough to get themselves on the board. But, their erratic behaviour on the attack side only seems to play into RRQ's hands as the lead only continues to increase. RRQ take a jaw-dropping 10 - 2 lead into halftime.

Things don't get much better for Zeta Division to start their defensive half as RRQ takes the second pistol round. And they put themselves on map point soon afterwards, with Zeta looking like they have already given up the ghost on this map. A situation which RRQ welcome with open arms as they are able to close out Haven 13 - 2 to take a commanding 1 - 0 lead in the series.

After their dismal display on Haven, Zeta Division bring us over to Split for Map 2 of this series. They opt to go for the tried and true double-duellist, double-initiator composition as they try to claw their way back into this match. RRQ go for something similar, but opt to have xffero go with Omen instead of Astra.

RRQ takes the opening pistol round as well as their anti-eco to continue exactly where they left off on Haven. Their round streak stretches to four in a row on the map, and nine in a row since the second half of Haven, as Zeta look lost for answers. But at last, Zeta come up with a response, as they claim their first round of the map. And they are able to start chaining some rounds together as they begin to punish RRQ for some over-extension on their part. Dep and Laz look the most improved of the Zeta players, as their efforts prove vital for them on this map as they manage to take a 7 - 5 lead into halftime.

Zeta win the second pistol round on Split, their first of the series, as their lead stretches to 8 - 5. And they covert on both their anti-eco and bonus rounds as they hit the double-digit mark on the map. An ace from Lmemore gives RRQ a new lease on life on their defensive half. But Zeta are able to reach map point at 12 - 7 nonetheless. RRQ come up with a moment of madness as they try to make push the map into overtime. But Zeta were far too clinical on their attack, and in the end were able to take Split 13 - 8 to tie up the series 1 - 1.

With Zeta evening things up on Split we now head over to Ascent for the third and final map of this series. The Japanese side opt to dip their toes back into the unknown in the form of another double-initiator compostion. With Laz playing Cypher and Dep with the surprise pick of Sova. RRQ on the other hand go for the much more standard variant of the double-initiator composition.

Zeta Division manage to take the opening pistol round as well as the first anti-eco to get things started on their defensive half. And they convert on their bonus round before faltering in the first proper rifle round of the half. But their lead continues to grow, while leaving RRQ's economy in a very uncertain state. RRQ manage to cobble together their second round of the half, but Zeta remain in complete control of the map at 8 - 2. RRQ are able to stabilize things on their attack, but it is still Zeta Division sitting on top at 8 - 4 at the end of this first half.

RRQ come flying out of the gates to secure the second pistol round. They manage to tie things up despite barely coming out on top in their anti-eco and bonus rounds. And, sure enough, they manage to surpass Zeta's lead at 9 - 8, with the Japanese side looking totally perplexed by the situation at hand. RRQ hit the 10 point mark, with the momentum of this match fully on their side. But Zeta gradually eclipse the double-digit mark as well tying the map up again at 11 - 11. They manage to reach match point, but RRQ stands their ground on their defence to push Ascent into overtime.

RRQ take the first overtime round to put themselves on match point. But Zeta come up with a solid post-plant setup on their attack round to send the game into a second set of overtime rounds. Xferro comes up with some heroics to put RRQ back onto match point. But Zeta come up with a flawless attack round to tie things up once again.

It looked for a second as though Zeta might have finally found their momentum again, but a huge clutch from 2GE helps RRQ back into the lead in the third set of overtime rounds. Only for Zeta to tie things up once again. Back and forth we go as both teams struggle to get themselves over the line on their defensive rounds. The match heads into a sixth set of overtime rounds thanks to some last second heroics from Dep. RRQ continues to pile the pressure onto Zeta with their near flawless attack rounds, but once more the Japanese side respond well to keep themselves alive in this match.

Zeta Division finally manage to break the cycle of play in the seventh set of overtime rounds as they secure their defense to put themselves on match point. But this time it is RRQ who come up with a response as they remain locked together heading into an eighth set of overtime rounds. Zeta win a second defense round to put themselves back onto match point. It was a gruelling match for both teams, and it truly went down to the wire. But when the chips were down, it was Zeta Division who managed to find that extra bit of oomph to carry them over the line. Winning Ascent 21 - 19 and the series 2 - 1 to send themselves into the VCT Pacific LCQ upper bracket final.

Three Pacific League teams already secured their spots at Champions 2023. The remaining seven teams will battle it out in an attempt to secure the final ticket to Champions 2023 in the VCT Pacific LCQ matches. Fans who wish to watch the Zeta Division versus RRQ VCT Pacific LCQ match may do so by heading to the league's Twitch and YouTube channels. You may also tune in via the embed stream link down below in case you don't want to leave this page.

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