Dragon Ranger Gaming Dominates FPX to Claim Spot in Top Four!

Dragon Ranger Gaming

Dragon Ranger Gaming

China
Rank #6

Flex1n
Lo Rui (罗瑞)








vo0kashu
Ilya Ushakov








Cangshu
Zheng Yujun (手郑宇峻)








Nicc
Shao Yi-qun (邵逸群)








TvirusLuke
Chen Cheng-ching








SpiritZ1
Lin Dingyu (林定宇)

triumphed over

FunPlus Phoenix

FunPlus Phoenix

China
Rank #8

Autumn
Kale Dunne








Life
Qu Donghao (瞿东豪)








AAAAY
Zhang Yang (张杨)








BerLIN
Zhang Bolin (張柏霖)








yosemite
Wang Lei (王磊)

across three maps to ensure a top-four

conclude at China Kickoff, achieving not merely one step closer to Masters Bangkok, but also earning points towards Champions 2025 qualification.

The tournament unfolded across three maps, with Dragon Ranger Gaming selecting Abyss, FunPlus Phoenix opting for Pearl, and Haven serving as the deciding map.

Abyss showcased a traditional FunPlus Phoenix triple Controller lineup, while Dragon Ranger Gaming’s double Controller, double Initiator configuration produced favorable outcomes as well. The latter half was closely contested. DRG countered a 3-0 FPX surge with a 5-0 streak of their own, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish that featured a must-win round for FPX. With a score of 12-11, DRG clinched a tense final round to avert extra rounds, taking a 1-0 series advantage.

Blink and you might overlook a kill this round.

After nearly succeeding but falling short on Abyss, FPX rebounded impressively. They overwhelmed the defensive side of Pearl, securing 11 rounds from a DRG squad that struggled to find their rhythm. Following a commanding pistol round that led to match point, the map concluded 13-1.

Three of

BerLIN
‘s 17 kills on Pearl.

On an attack-favored Haven, where rounds on the defending side can be elusive, DRG quickly established a 5-0 lead, placing the Operator in the hands of Jett player

TvirusLuke
early on. FPX managed to secure two rounds in the first half, largely due to

Life
‘s Blade Storm, but the DRG lead swelled to 9-3 by halftime. With FPX employing a double Controller, double Initiator, and zero Sentinel team makeup, their lack of map control during their attack translated into defensive struggles. Despite losing four of the initial five rounds of the second half, DRG secured the map 13-7 to progress to the lower semifinal.

With this victory, Dragon Ranger Gaming moves one step closer to qualifying for Masters Bangkok. This would mark the organization’s first international event since qualifying for Masters Shanghai in 2024.

Confronted with the threat of relegation, China’s two Ascension teams have positioned themselves strongly for Champions League qualification and to ensure survival. Finishing in the top four guarantees one championship point, while first and second places award three and two points, respectively.

As a result of the defeat, FPX will be inactive in VCT competitions until late March when China Stage 1 commences. After qualifying for all three international events in 2024, they will commence their 2025 journey by watching the first international from home.

The upcoming matches of VCT China Kickoff are: