FIREDUP Gaming book Grand Final spot in the Upthrust Esports Gaming Fest Season 3

FIREDUP Gaming took on Invasion Esports in the second semifinal of the Upthrust Esports Gaming Fest Season 3, with the teams looking to book their final's showdown spot with Gods Reign.

Starting on their own map, Invasion got a slow start to their T side, as they found themselves trailing 2-0. In the first buy round, despite being a man down, they were able to get two entries on the A site to put their first round on the board. While FIREDUP Gaming pulled a round right back, Invasion was able to retaliate by stringing together 3 rounds in a row on the back of a 1v2 from Slot"Z"y. FIREDUP found the breakthrough by answering with aggression of their own, as n1kace took charge. As the half ended, FIREDUP was able to secure 9 CT rounds with n1kace leading with 16 kills.

Invasion found early success in the second half, as they were able to convert the first two rounds to narrow the lead to 9-8. And despite FIREDUP claiming the first buy round, only 2 players were allowed to save, keeping their economy in check. Thus, winning the next round allowed Invasion to force the Terrorists to eco, thereby leveling the score at 10-10. However, undeterred by these losses was n1kace, as he once again emerged as the difference maker. With 27 kills to his name, he played a pivotal role in FIREDUP's marching flawlessly to a 16-10 win on the first map.

In the second map, Inferno, FIREDUP stormed onto the T-side. They embarked on a 7-0 opening streak, with the five Terrorists forcefully infiltrating bombsites. While this relentless aggression was a double-edged sword, allowing a few slip-ups for Invasion to capitalize upon, the sheer firepower allowed the team to collect 11 rounds at the end of the first half. While there were no slouches on the team, n1kace, and RobbeN were head and shoulders above the rest, as they secured 18 and 17 frags respectively.

Invasion took a much needed T sided pistol to kick off the second half. It was clean conversion from Invasion against the eco on a B hit but once FIREDUP got out their guns it was a stellar defensive hold which saw them secure Inferno 16-6 and take the series 2-0 to book their spot in the Grand Finals against Gods Reign.