Masters Santiago: Gentle Mates, Paper Rex, G2 Esports and NRG Qualify for playoffs

The first phase of Masters Santiago has concluded on Wednesday, March 4, with the end of the Group Stage. The competition now enters its decisive stage, as the playoffs begin and the eight best teams in the world—from the four major VCT regions—will face off to determine the first international champion of the season.

Four teams have already been eliminated at the end of this opening phase, once again highlighting an underwhelming showing from the Chinese region. The two representatives present, EDward Gaming and Xi Lai Gaming, were both eliminated without taking a single map. After putting up a modest fight against Gentle Mates in their opening match, EDG were subsequently swept by T1, while XLG had little fortune in the draw, having to face NRG and G2 Esports—both of whom proved overwhelmingly difficult opponents.

There will also be no playoff appearance for T1, who fell to G2 Esports in a rematch of the Masters Bangkok final. The Korean side may well regret their opening defeat to Team Liquid; despite a promising start to the event, Liquid themselves failed to advance after losses to Gentle Mates and NRG, where their former player Georgio “keiko” Sanassy proved particularly decisive in eliminating them.

The tournament will now proceed with a double-elimination playoff bracket beginning this Friday. The first seeds from each region will enter the competition at this stage, facing teams that have advanced through the Group Stage. In their first international appearance, FURIA will take on Paper Rex, who—despite entering as the Pacific region’s third seed—once again demonstrated that they should never be underestimated on the international stage.

Also competing in their first international event, Nongshim RedForce will face Gentle Mates in a clash of newcomers, after the French organization confirmed the strong form it had already displayed during the Kickoff tournament in Santiago.

Saturday’s matches will feature additional high-profile encounters. All Gamers, the final remaining representative of VCT China, will face one of the tournament favorites in G2 Esports. Finally, in what could be the standout series of the opening round, Turkish side BBL Esports will begin their campaign against the reigning world champions of NRG, who appear to be growing increasingly comfortable as the competition progresses.