A five-map Lower Final between OpTic Gaming and DRX has determined who will face LOUD in the Champions 2022 Grand Final. Things looked to go in OpTic’s favor early on, but DRX showed some resiliency to bring it back and force the series to go the distance. Both teams were primed to win. Only one had the stamina to hang on, however.

OpTic holds strong at Champions 2022, preventing reverse sweep by DRX

In a Lower Final to remember, OpTic Gaming and DRX went to war. The series went all five maps as things shifted in the middle, looking like a DRX miracle comeback. OpTic stood their ground and thwarted a reverse sweep to keep their Champions 2022 hopes alive.

• Bind: OpTic Gaming 13:8 DRX
• Breeze: OpTic Gaming 13:5 DRX
• Fracture: DRX 13:8 OpTic Gaming
• Ascent: DRX 13:6 OpTic Gaming
• Haven: OpTic Gaming 13:10 DRX

With a recent loss on Bind to LOUD, many wondered how OpTic would bounce back against DRX. They had no issue reclaiming the map as their own. Onto Breeze, the beachside location proved to be a comfortable place for OpTic, as well. They mowed through DRX and only allowed five rounds.

Breeze is a wrap!

Two down, one to go for OpTic. #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/FHwZlTm7o2

— VALORANT Champions Tour 🇹🇷 (@ValorantEsports) September 17, 2022

This is where DRX started to pick up the pace. They made the most of their offensive side of Fracture and put up a brick wall against the Green Wall on defense. Ascent, which many believed would be the nail in the coffin, went even more favorably for DRX. They kept OpTic to only six rounds and forced a map five.

WE'RE GOING THE DISTANCE! @DRX_VS wins on Ascent to force the decider. #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/kfFyQD8eQC

— VALORANT Champions Tour 🇹🇷 (@ValorantEsports) September 17, 2022

The final map took place on Haven and was one of the best of the entire tournament. OpTic started strong, but DRX were able to string together some attacking rounds to avoid a massive deficit at the half. They then looked to turn on the burners for another epic comeback. It was almost a reality, but just wasn’t meant to be. The script called for yet another OpTic Gaming vs. LOUD contest in the Grand Final.

OPTIC GETS THE SERIES WIN AND ADVANCES TO THE #VALORANTChampions GRAND FINALS! #GreenWall pic.twitter.com/XhJYHkpy2S

— VALORANT Champions Tour 🇹🇷 (@ValorantEsports) September 17, 2022

Stay tuned to Run It Back for more Champions 2022 coverage and be sure to keep your eyes on our YouTube channel for all of the post-match press conferences!

(Featured image via Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)