This was the third time this season that EDG defeated FPX in the grand finals of a Chinese VCT event.
EDward Gaming (EDG) have been crowned as the inaugural VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) China League champions after they outlasted regional rivals 
FunPlus Phoenix (FPX), 3-2, in the best-of-five grand finals of the league's Stage 2 Playoffs on Saturday (20 July).
EDG have been far and away the most dominant team in the Chinese league in its first year, having claimed the championship of the VCT China Kickoff in February before taking the Stage 1 title in May. Both of those accolades notably came off 3-1 grand final victories against FPX, who have languished in EDG's shadow all season long.
In the Stage 2 Group Stage, EDG and FPX claimed the Top 2 spots in the overall standings to earn direct byes to the upper bracket semifinals in the Stage 2 Playoffs.
EDG defeated 
Bilibili Gaming (BLG), 2-1, in the upper bracket semifinals then swept 
Trace Esports, 2-0, in the upper bracket finals to become the first team in the grand finals.
Meanwhile, FPX had a poor start to the Playoffs after they were upset by Trace in a 2-0 upset and got knocked down to the lower bracket. FPX had to defeat BLG, 2-1, in the lower bracket semifinals then got their revenge over Trace in a 3-2 slugfest in the lower bracket finals to once again face EDG in their third-straight grand finals showdown.
EDG entered the grand finals with guns blazing, ending the first half of game one in Sunset with a dominant 9-3 lead on the attacker side. FPX then showed signs of life after the side switch, winning six of the first eight rounds of the second half to get within 11-9. However, EDG were able to settle things down and win rounds 21 and 22 to claim their first map of the series with a 13-9 score.
FPX looked to bounce back in game two at Abyss by winning six of the first seven rounds on the defender side. While EDG struck back with a four-round run, a round 12 win gave FPX a 7-5 lead heading into halftime. While EDG won the first two rounds of the second half, a determined FPX went on a 7-1 run to close out Abyss, 13-8, and tie up the series.
EDG were quick to shake off their game two loss, taking a commanding 9-3 lead as the defender side in the first half of game three at Haven. EDG then continued their dominant run to start the second half and grew their lead to 11-3 after round 14. FPX won three-straight to get within 11-6, but EDG could not be denied as they closed out Haven with a 13-7 score and go up 2-1 in the series.
Game four at Icebox saw both teams trade runs all throughout the first half. EDG on the attacker side kicked things off with a 4-1 run followed by FPX winning four-straight, only for EDG to claim three-straight to take the lead at 7-5 heading into halftime. Determined to send the series to a deciding fifth game, FPX went on a furious six-round streak to start the second half to eventually claim the 13-9 win in Icebox.
The decider at Bind saw both teams go blow-for-blow, but it was EDG that triumphed in the end to claim the 3-2 series victory and absolute dominance over the Chinese league.
EDG were on fire to start the map, winning six-straight before FPX managed to trim their lead to 7-2 by round 9. EDG then won the last three rounds of the first half and the first two of the second half to get within series point at 12-2 after round 14. However, FPX mounted a furious comeback by winning six-straight rounds to get within 12-8 after round 20. But despite FPX's best efforts, EDG finally scored their 13th round after that to secure their victory.
With their dominance over the Chinese league now complete, EDG will be carrying the region's hopes for a world championship in just its first year at VALORANT Champions in South Korea this August. Joining them in representing China in this year's VALORANT world championship tournament will be FPX, Trace, and BLG.
