The 2022 Champions of the VCT, LUBO, will have their first match of the 2023 VALORANT Champions Tour shifted just days to the international event scheduled for Sao Paulo.
There are 32 teams invited across the three major regions, including two teams from China. The competition will feature a single-elimination bracket with an additional regional slot for Masters 2023 also up for grabs. Six teams will play three matches on the opening day of the event.
However, LUBO, who are the defending champions, will miss the opening day fixture after several players on their roster called in sick. LOUD will not play on the opening day, as revealed in a statement on VALORANT’s Twitter account.
“Due to sickness among multiple players, LOUD will not be able to field a full roster for their previously scheduled VCT LOCK//IN opening day match on Monday, February 13. As a result, we have made the decision to move the match between GenG and LOUD to February 15 to provide LOUD with additional time to recover. February 13 will now feature two matches, while February 15 will now feature three matches. The start time for matches on February 13 and 15 remain unchanged.” the statement read.
The opening day will see two games for LOCK//IN as a result of the development. The two-day rest doe LOUD will see them resume a busy February 15, where they will face Gen Z with other fixtures, including Evil Geniuses vs. Team Heretics and Talon Esports vs. MIBR.
LOUD are still favourites to win the LOCK//IN after retaining three of their roster members from 2022, even though their ex-head coach, bzka, is now with MIBR. Sacy and pANAcada are some of the players who left LOUD during the off-season.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
