VCT 2026 Game Changers SEA Challengers Split 1 opened with a mix of commanding performances and dramatic momentum swings, as Team Falcons Vega secured a convincing win over IVY GC, while Stallions Lyra delivered a statement sweep against 36 Thieves.
Both series highlighted early standouts and gave a glimpse of the contenders to watch in the regional field.
Team Falcons Vega outclass IVY GC in Opening Map
The series kicked off with IVY GC selecting Haven, with Team Falcons Vega opting to start on attack. Falcons Vega answered with Lotus as their pick, where IVY once again chose the attacking side. Pearl was set as the decider, continuing IVY’s aggressive preference.
Falcons Vega wasted no time asserting control, dictating the pace and shutting down IVY’s early attempts to gain footing. It took individual heroics from “TunZ” and Surassawadee “Yxqme” Khongpechdee to finally put IVY on the board, combining for a 3K and 2K to break their drought and spark a brief 2 round streak.
Still, Falcons Vega remained firmly in control. A pivotal Round 11 saw IVY attempt a retake using “Viz”’s Astra ultimate, only for Kelly “shirazi” Jaudian to completely shut them down and halt any momentum shift.
Still, yxqme continued to shine, ending the first half at 9-3 with a 4K to keep IVY within reach. But Falcons Vega proved too disciplined to let the game slip.
After winning the second-half pistol, Falcons looked ready to close things out until yxqme delivered a miraculous ACE on a force buy to extend IVY’s hopes. Despite converting the bonus round, IVY could not sustain the momentum, as Falcons Vega tightened their defense and closed the map 13-5.
A key highlight came from Modhi “madv” Alkanhal from Saudi Arabia, who impressed in her role shift to Duelist. Playing Phoenix, she produced a 20/11/7 KDA result alongside a dominant 290 ACS, leading the charge for Falcons Vega.
Falcons Vega Seal Series Behind Balanced Firepower
On Pearl, IVY introduced a Miks pick to round out their composition and started strong by taking the pistol round. Falcons Vega, however, immediately responded with a shutdown in the following round, setting the tone for another back-and-forth map.
“Angela” stepped up for IVY, helping the team build momentum and string together rounds from three up to their seventh, briefly putting Falcons Vega on the back foot.
The turning point came once Falcons regained control through a crucial pistol round, allowing them to stabilize. From there, both teams traded rounds after the bonus, but Falcons Vega once again showed superior late-game composure.
A strong closing stretch secured the map 13-9 and the series victory. Odella “enerii” Abraham from Indonesia stood out as MVP on Neon, finishing with a 22/15/5 KDA and 287 ACS, nearly mirroring madv’s impact from the opening map.
In a post-match interview, Alexandria “Alexy” Francisco highlighted the team’s adjustments, noting madv’s shift to Duelist as they felt madv was sometimes limiting her true potential. She also returned to her more comfortable initiator role, emphasizing improved synergy across the roster.
Stallions Lyra breezed through 36 Thieves
The second series saw Stallions Lyra deliver one of the most impressive performances of the day, sweeping 36 Thieves 2-0.
The matchup opened on Pearl, with 36 Thieves on attack, but Stallions Lyra immediately made them work for every round. The game remained tightly contested early, with constant exchanges keeping the scoreline close to an equal 6-6.
After the side switch, Stallions Lyra found another gear. A dominant 6-0 run pushed them to match point, leaving 36 Thieves scrambling to recover. Despite a brief resistance in the 19th round, Stallions closed the map immediately 13-7.
Mary “capriciouS” Sabado led the charge with a standout performance on Waylay, posting a remarkable 24/9/2 KDA and a tournament-high 340 ACS.
Stallions Lyra Complete Comeback to Secure Series Sweep
On Haven, 36 Thieves looked poised to bounce back in the series. A strong first half followed by pistol and conversion rounds gave them a commanding 9-5 lead.
However, Stallions Lyra once again flipped the script.
In a stunning defensive display, Stallions mounted an eight-round win streak to completely shut out 36 Thieves and secure the 2-0 series sweep. “Mei” played a crucial role in the comeback, delivering a 22/17/6 KDA on Neon with a 305 ACS.
Speaking after the match, Capricious remained confident but grounded, noting their previous win over Falcons Vega while emphasizing a reset mindset since it’s a new season for the girls. She also revealed the team is currently competing without a coach, adding that their recent results have been even more encouraging under the circumstances.
Early contenders emerge in SEA
With Falcons Vega and Stallions Lyra showcasing who the top contenders are in this split, VCT 2026 Game Changers SEA Split 1 has already set the stage for the Upper Bracket Finals.
Both Falcons Vega and Stallions Lyra will face each other on April 16, 2026 7 GMT+8 to determine who will be the first team to move on to the Grand Finals.
Tomorrow, the all Filipina squad, TRENTITAS will face 36 Thieves for tournament life, while the other match consists of IVY GC facing Matilda GC from Thailand.
As teams continue to find their footing, the race for the top in Southeast Asia is only just beginning.