NTMR, Timeless survive in lower bracket of OWCS NA Stage 1 playoffs

NTMR and Timeless stayed alive with victories in the lower bracket of the North American Stage 1 playoffs of the Overwatch Champions Series on Sunday.

NTMR blanked Rad Esports 3-0 and Timeless eliminated Avidity 3-1. Those winners will square off in the lower-bracket semifinal on March 8. The two remaining teams in the upper bracket, Spacestation and Team Liquid, will also match up on March 8, with the winner assured of a berth in the grand final on March 9.

The $100,000 tournament, played online, featured eight teams. The two finalists will earn Champions Clash berths. The two teams that didn't make the double-elimination playoffs, Shikigami and Amplify, will proceed to promotion/relegation for Stage 2.

NTMR began its match with a 2-1 win on Nepal Control, followed it up with a 3-0 victory on Suravasa Flashpoint and clinched 3-2 on Havana Escort. NTMR's Xavier "zeruhh" Zambrano, an American/Ecuadorian player, picked up match MVP honors.

Timeless came within one map of a sweep, getting victories on Lijiang Tower Control (2-0) and Havana Escort (1-0). But Avidity responded with a win on Esperanca Push, 102.26m-62.04m. Timeless came back with a clinching 3-0 victory on Suravasa Flashpoint. Luke "Lukemino" Fish of the U.S. earned MVP honors.

Overwatch Champions Series 2025 NA Stage 1 prize pool

1. $30,000 (Champions Clash berth)

2. $20,000 (Champions Clash berth)

3. $14,500

4. $10,500

5-6. $7,500 -- Avidity, Rad Esports

7-8. $5,000 - Shikigami, Amplify

--Field Level Media