MIBR and Isurus headline final four SA RMR Open Qualifier winners

MIBR found success in the open qualifiers the second time around, following a disappointing first attempt that ended in a round-of-16 loss to 9z. MIBR avoided the upsets in their second try, taking out Made in Ukraine and Boca Juniors to secure a seat at the American RMR. Their victory over Made in Ukraine came with ease, as MIBR started the Overpass match up 5-0 and never let off the gas pedal. The first half would close in favor of MIBR 11-4 before finding victory 16-6.

Things did not come as easy in their best-of-three against Boca Juniors. MIBR was stunned on their map pick of Dust2 to start the series, as Boca Juniors won five straight offensive rounds while down 11-14 to take MIBR’s map pick and take a 1-0 lead. Jhonatan "JOTA" Willian took the loss personally, leading the server with 100+ ADR over the next two maps en route to a reverse sweep and a 2-1 victory for MIBR to qualify for the American RMR.

Isurus endured a tough journey in their second Open Qualifier attempt to make it to the American RMR. Their matches today began with a best-of-one match against a strong ELES team that included Henrique "HEN1" Teles and Lucas "LUCAS1" Teles in the lineup. The Teles twins were on point in the event, performing at the same level as Isurus’ Nicolás "Noktse" Dávila who ended the 29 round affair with a 25-17 K/D. Although the twins came to play, the team effort of Isurus was too much for ELES, as Isurus ripped off ten-straight CT-rounds to close Dust2 16-13.

After grinding out ELES in the best-of-one, Isurus had no issue taking out Eqole in the qualification best-of-three. Eqole was unable to keep the pace against Isurus, mounting only five rounds on the first half of their map pick of Inferno. Once Isurus began their T-side, there was nothing Eqole could do to stop the bleeding. Only one of seven rounds would go in favor of Eqole as they would lose their pick 6-16. With momentum fully in Isurus’ favor, they would not let go. The story of Dust2 nearly mirrored the events of Inferno, with Eqole mounting four first-half rounds and a single round in the second half. Isurus’ might be far too much for Eqole to maintain in the best-of-three series as they handily took the series 2-0 to qualify for the American RMR.

Led by familiar Brazilian talent Caio "zqkS" Fonseca and Gustavo "SHOOWTiME" Gonçalves, São Caetano was able to pull through some tight games to qualify through the final open qualifier in the region. The round-of-16 match against Stars Horizon nearly ended in disappointment, as the team was unable to close out a 13-9 lead in regulation. Stars Horizon went on a streak to take it to overtime before São Caetano woke up and won four straight in overtime to close it out. zqkS had to drag his team to the finish line in this match, closing the match with 42 frags, exactly double the amount of his next closest teammate.

São Caetano stumbled to begin the qualifier best-of-three against ex-SG, dropping their map pick of Dust2 11-16. With no more room for mistakes, São Caetano answered back with a 16-3 stomping on ex-SG’s Inferno pick, leaving the two teams to decide a winner on Mirage. The two teams were neck-and-neck through 30 rounds, ending regulation 15-15 to take it to overtime. Similar to the best-of-one last round, São Caetano found another gear in overtime, winning four of six rounds to take Mirage 19-17, win the series 2-1, and secure a spot at the American RMR.

The American RMR found more Argentinan representation after Leviatán was able to claim the fourth and final seat in today's bracket. Their matches today started with a best-of-one showdown against Ea Dupla on Inferno. The match started competitively, with Leviatán and Ea Dupla exchanging streaks of round wins before settling at a 9-6 scoreline in favor of Ea Dupla. When Leviatán got to the CT-side, they easily ran away with the game. They won ten of eleven rounds to close the map 16-10, taking them to a qualifier best-of-three against a surging Black Dragons that just upset Sharks.

Leviatán and Black Dragons went to war to start Overpass, earning nine rounds on their CT halves before ending the first map in double overtime. Leviatán was able to outlast Black Dragons in extra rounds, winning their map pick 22-19. Black Dragons were able to give Leviatán a taste of their own medicine on Dust2, winning twelve of fourteen CT rounds over Leviatán to take their pick 16-13 and bringing it to an Inferno decider.

When Inferno arrived, Black Dragons had no more resistance to offer. Leviatán’s three-pronged assault of Fillipe "pancc" Martins, Ignacio "meyern" Meyer, and Gabriel "1962" Sinopoli was far too much fire-power for Black Dragons. All three players netted 15+ frags in the first half as Leviatán walked all over their opposition on T-side. By the time the second half arrived, Black Dragons were out of gas, and Leviatán closed the map with ease 16-4 to close the series 2-1 and earn the final spot at the American RMR.

With the South American open qualifiers finalized, Sharks stand out as the most notable team to miss out on the RMR cycle. They lost a nailbiter series against a strong Case team in their first attempt. With the top teams advancing in the first qualifier, things looked even better for Sharks to complete the bracket the second time around. Those hopes were thwarted following a disappointing overtime loss to Black Dragons. They will have to go back to the drawing board after missing out on the ultimate goal of making a Major. As far as individual talent, HEN1 and LUCAS1 going 0-2 as a part of ELES is another example of notable Brazilian talent missing out on the Major cycle.

To cement official seeding, the qualifying teams have to play in best-of-one competition. In these matches, MIBR bested Isurus in an overtime brawl on Dust2, and São Caetano beat Leviatán on Nuke 16-11. MIBR took first place over São Caetano, who will place second following the loss. As for the third-place match, Isurus secured victory over Leviatán to confirm the final two places.

The final standings for the second South American Open Qualifier are as follows:

1. MIBR (chelo, exit JOTA, tuurtle, WOOD7) - Qualified for American RMR
2. São Caetano (ckzao, danoco, delboNi, SHOOWTIME, zqkS) - Qualified for American RMR
3. Isurus (ALLE, deco, DeStiNy, Gafolo, Nokste) - Qualified for American RMR
4. Leviatán (1962, fakzwall, meyern, pancc, reversive) - Qualified for American RMR
5-8. Boca Juniors (alexer, elemeNt, luchov, nbl, restikk)
5-8. Eqole (0nly, Campe, Comar, nicologaN, t4MAguzzi)
5-8. ex-SG (antonini, mxa, r1see, suNday, uet4z)
5-8. Black Dragons (detr0it, fREQ, ped, ponter, r4ul)

The eight South American Open Qualifier teams to clinch an American RMR spot are:

1. Case (honda, f4stzin, RCF, steel, yepz) - South American Open Qualifier #1
2. Imperial (boltz, FalleN, fer, fnx, VINI) - South American Open Qualifier #1
3. 00 Nation (coldzera, leo_drk, malbsMd, try, v$m) - South American Open Qualifier #1
4. 9z (dav1d, dgt, Luken, max, rox) - South American Open Qualifier #1
5. MIBR (chelo, exit JOTA, tuurtle, WOOD7) - South American Open Qualifier #2
6. São Caetano (ckzao, danoco, delboNi, SHOOWTIME, zqkS) - South American Open Qualifier #2
7. Isurus (ALLE, deco, DeStiNy, Gafolo, Nokste) - South American Open Qualifier #2
8. Leviatán (1962, fakzwall, meyern, pancc, Reversive) - South American Open Qualifier #2