Bonkers and Dplus will meet in the group stage of VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: Pacific. I think it's obvious to everyone that it's the Australian squad that is seen as one of the underdogs.
Dplus, in turn, will be The International to watch, as the team didn't seem that strong within their region as the season progressed. Still, in this case, the South Koreans should make the difference, at least because of their experience.
In general, Bonkers will be very difficult in this match, as well as in all the other games of the group stage. So here I would lean on the Dplus team to win.
Bonkers form
The Australian first team expectedly won the first split of VALORANT Challengers 2023: Oceania, but the boys were playing under a different name at the time.
The Australian squad then went on to win the local REFLEX Challenge OCE, but there was not much to say about that championship as the level of competition was even lower.
Already at the end of the main season, Bonkers became the VALORANT Challengers 2023: Oceania Split 2 champion, again walking over their rivals without a chance.
Bonkers' latest results:
- A 2-0 win over Guangzhou Long Lionz.
- A 2-0 win over The Who?
- A 0-2 loss to NerdPunt.
- Beat EXYZ 2-1.
- 3-0 win over NerdPunt.
Bonkers' best scores:
- Haven - 100% wins.
- Fracture - 100% wins.
- Pearl - 100% wins.
- Lotus - 100% wins.
- Split - 100% wins.
- Bind - 67% wins.
- Ascent - 50% wins.
It should not be forgotten that the Aussie squad usually gives up on Fracture.
Dplus uniforms
The second team in the South Korean ranking won the TEN 2022 FPS SPECIAL at the end of last year, although the event was more of an exhibition match.
However, the South Korean team managed to take the VALORANT Challengers 2023: Korea Split 1 at the Long Song of the season, despite some difficulties in the course of the tournament.
Dplus also recently claimed the VALORANT Challengers 2023: Korea Split 2 title, although once again looking slightly stronger than some of their league rivals.
Dplus's latest results:
- A 2-0 win over Nongshim RedForce.
- Beat On Sla2ers 2-1.
- Beat Shadow Corporation 2-0.
- Beat Maru Gaming 2-0.
- 3-1 win over SLT.
Dplus's best scores:
- Haven - 83% wins.
- Lotus - 80% wins.
- Pearl - 75% wins.
- Ascent - 75% wins.
- Fracture - 70% wins.
- Split - 60% wins.
In turn, the South Korean team has steadily given up Bind.
Bonkers - Dplus encounter statistics
The teams have not met before.
Forecast for the match Bonkers - Dplus
I think we are dealing with an obvious encounter, as the Australian team is unlikely to create a sensation. And as a matter of fact, Bonkers is not such a strong team, especially considering the competition in the region.
Yes, I personally don't consider Dplus strong either, but in terms of experience the squad is clearly ahead of many. What's more, the South Koreans' selection is on par, so there shouldn't be any pitfalls here.
So in this case I would recommend betting on Dplus to win.
