Chinese teams have demonstrated in today’s VALORANT Champions knockout stage matches that they have every right to perform on the Los Angeles stage with the finest of the best. It’s fair to say that worldwide LAN newcomers BiliBili Gaming were the underdogs going into their rematch against NRG, even though many people probably expected Edward Gaming to win their match versus Giants.
Despite winning the first time they met in the Champions group stage, NRG is infamous for never losing rematches. Only a few VALORANT teams have managed to beat them twice in a row in recent seasons, including LOUD in the LOCK//IN tournament in São Paulo and in the Americas League season earlier this year. The NRG players were certainly confident heading into their elimination match against BiliBili.
“You guys are going home, 100 percent,” NRG duelist Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks stated in a post-match interview when asked if he had any words for the rookie Chinese squad after defeating Zeta Division. “I guarantee that.”
Unfortunately for the NA represenatives, ardiis wasn’t able to make good on that promise, with the BiliBili roster proceeding to sweep them 2-0 again. Ardiis, in particular, was outplayed by BLG’s duelist Wang “whzy” Haozhe, who put up an ACS of 313 with 45 kills across both maps to ardiis’ 176 ACS and 24 kills.
That said, it was BiliBili’s Viper star, Lei “yosemite” Wang who stole the show, taking second for kills with 41 and making essential plays to keep BLG ahead.
NRG’s 2023 VCT season has now officially come to a close, though they will likely participate in at least some of the over 40 VALORANT tournaments Riot has scheduled for its upcoming OFF//SEASON.
Meanwhile, BiliBili will join their Chinese peers EDG in the playoffs stage of Champions where they’ll face off against South Korean powerhouse DRX next.