The second day of the playoff stage at VALORANT Masters Bangkok was nothing short of a rollercoaster for fans and players alike. One of the biggest surprises of the event came when Team Vitality, a squad brimming with talent, was eliminated after losing to T1. This unexpected outcome means that fans will have to wait for a future Masters event to witness the much-anticipated showdown between Derke and ZmjjKK. However, the spotlight now belongs to T1, a team that has proved they are a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. Let’s take a closer look at how T1 dismantled Team Vitality and secured their spot in the lower bracket finals.
VALORANT Masters Bangkok (image via Getty)T1 Clinches a Crucial Victory Over Team Vitality
Following the intense battle, both teams attended the post-match press conference. The atmosphere in the Team Vitality camp was somber, with visible disappointment on the players’ faces. Derke, one of the most renowned duelists in the scene, was seen with his hands on his face, possibly reflecting on his performance and the team’s exit from the tournament.
When questioned about the team’s struggles during the second map, Sayf addressed the issue:
“Fundamental issue. Unfortunate that it had to happen. Maybe the calls weren’t correct. When you lose a man, it becomes awkward. They pushed multiple times with the Operator, which we couldn’t counter.”
On the other side, T1’s in-game leader, Stax, shared insights into how he bounced back after their previous loss to EDward Gaming:
“After we lost yesterday, my feedback following yesterday’s game was that my calls were off. They could have been much better. Actually, they should have been better. While talking to my team and coach about the reasons for us losing the last game, I was able to regain my confidence.”
This mental reset clearly worked, as T1 came into this elimination match looking more prepared and confident than ever.
VALORANT Masters Bangkok (image via Getty)T1’s Tactical Mastery Neutralizes Derke
One of the biggest talking points from this series was the performance on Haven, which was Team Vitality’s map pick. They struggled significantly, losing the first four rounds on attack and then failing to hold their defense in the final five rounds. Their decision to run a double duelist composition, with Sayf on Jett, did not yield the expected results.
Derke’s individual performance also raised eyebrows. He ended the series with a KDA of 46/47/9, with eight first kills but an alarming 14 first deaths. In contrast, T1’s duelist, BuZz, delivered a standout performance, securing 15 first kills while only suffering six first deaths. This statistic alone underscores how well T1 adapted their strategies to shut down Derke’s aggressive playstyle.
Another standout performer for T1 was Meteor, who played a crucial role in the team’s success. His versatility shone through as he played Iso and Viper across the three maps. While he was solid as Iso, it was his Viper performance in map three that truly showcased his impact. Meteor consistently won engagements, proving his strength in fundamental mechanics and game sense.
This victory propels T1 into the lower bracket finals, where they will clash with EDward Gaming in what promises to be another thrilling match in the VALORANT Masters Bangkok tournament. The competition is heating up, and T1 has sent a clear message to their critics—doubt them at your own risk.
