NRG Elite had a grueling weekend taking four losses in overtime to start their series. On the bright side, NRG proved that they are playing right on pace with the likes of Paintball Fit, the New Orleans Hurricanes, and San Antonio XFactor, but it remains to be seen if they can embrace that narrative, take their game to the next level, and find a way to overcome in the matchups ahead.
Leverage made their professional debut in Tampa. After a storied climb through the ranks, they seized their opportunity winning the Semipro division last season on the shoulders of standout players like Chris Caputo. They made a respectable showing, putting both Aftershock and Uprising against the ropes in a pair of 4-5 losses, but we will have to wait to see them achieve their first professional W.
The Royal City Seadogs, the other sensations of the Semipro division last year, purchased the pro slot of Blastcamp, and with the brothers Clayton and Dylan Rizzardo acting as their core, they would see their first win over ASG Aftermath.
But the story of stories that we all came for is the Cinderella saga of Paintball Fit which continued through the Tampa Bay Open. Returning after their rookie season win at World Cup, eyes were on them to see if their ride had been a fluke. And when the heart of their team, Colt Luckau, fell to a knee injury at practice the day before the event, uncertainty crept in.
But this squad proved to the critics and the naysayers that they are not a team of one. Luckau would step up in the pits as a strategist and a motivator.
Photo By Nicholas Shaw
052 paintball. media magazine