Image: Tencent Games
Impunity Esports and AG Global were booted out of the tournament by hometown heroes Blacklist International and Malaysia's Nova Esports, respectively.
Two teams have already fallen in the brutal single-elimination bracket of the Honor of Kings Invitational Season 3 Knockout Stage.
Wildcard team Impunity Esports and Malaysia's AG Global were the first two teams to be eliminated in the Knockout Stage quarterfinals, losing to the Philippines' Blacklist International and another Malaysian team in Nova Esports.staggering 4-0 victory.
Hometown heroes Blacklist International were one of the biggest favourites prior to the start of the tournament, backing it up in the Group Stage by topping Group A with a 2-0 score over Elevate and Gen.G Esports. Meanwhile, Impunity qualified for the Knockout Stage from Group B with a 1-1 record off a victory over Kagendra and a loss to Nova Esports.
Blacklist International defeated Impunity Esports in a 4-2 rout. The Wildcard team got a breezy two wins in the first two games of the series after picking up their signature heroes. However, the Filipinos gave their opponents a real scare when they turned the tables in the next three games.
In game six, Impunity tried to regain their composure by surprising their Filipino opponents with a strange lineup. However, Blacklist International stayed calm and showed strong macro gameplay to finish the series with a 4-2 victory and advance to the semifinals. The hometown heroes will next face the winner of the quarterfinals match between Nongshim Redforce and Elevate.
Meanwhile, Nova Esports showed why they are the best team from the Malaysia qualifier after their 4-0 win against AG Global. Before the start of the tournament, AG Global were dealt a serious blow after midlaner pHy couldn't participate due to personal issues. The team then barely qualified for the Knockout Stage from Group B, where they lost to Team Vitality but scored a crucial win over Alpha7 Esports. On the other hand, Nova Esports breezed through the Group Stage from Group C.
Nova Esports made it look easy as they routed AG Global in four games, with games one and three lasting 12 minutes while games two and four only took 10 minutes of action. Nova Esports now advance to the semifinals and will await the winner of the quarterfinals match between Team Vitality and Bigetron Sigma.
The Honor of Kings Invitational Season 3 Knockout Stage will continues with the two remaining quarterfinal matches, with Nongshim Redforce facing Elevate while Bigetron Sigma will take on Team Vitality.
