TOP 8 COVERAGE
789 players arrived in Porto Alegre in the hopes of becoming a Grand Prix Champion. After the first wave of eliminations, only 84 hopefuls remained. And then, it was down to the final 8.
The diversity of Modern is hardly exaggerated, with nearly 30 archetypes represented in the Day 2 alone. Surprisingly, a large amount of Naya variants broke into the Top 8 with SIXTEEN copies of Wild Nacatl (and Lightning Bolt) in the Top 4.
Surrounded by aggro decks, Platinum Pro Thiago Saporito armed with Slippery Bogles and Daybreak Coronets seemed to be in a great position to take it all home. However, mulligan troubles forced his prompt exit but he should be glad to pick up his very first Grand Prix Top 8 and a bunch of Pro Points.
A few months ago, Marco Paulo De Jesus Freitas was denied the honor of becoming a Grand Prix Champion when Pascal Maynard defeated him in the finals of Grand Prix Buenos Aires. When the dust settled, it was De Jesus Freitas from Rio de Janeiro who lifted the silverware. As a matter of fact, he did it without ever dropping a match the entire weekend, his only loss being a concession to Saporito!
To secure his title, De Jesus Freitas had to first defeat Diego Marquez's Green-Red Tron deck in the quarterfinals in an intense match by topdecking a timely Path to Exile, before surviving yet another close shave against Alejandro Cesa when he was on the verge of being burnt out! In the finals, his opponent Vagner William Casatti was equally hungry for the trophy, but in the end it was the fatter creatures which triumphed.
Rounding out the Top 8 were Caio Amaral with his unique Bant Zoo concoction (which included a sprinkle of Retreat to Coralhelm), Grand Prix Sao Paulo 2014 Champion Guilherme Merjam with Living End and World Magic Cup Top 8 Competitor Gabriel Fehr with Splinter Twin, all very accomplished players in their own right!
The eight have demonstrated that they know a thing or two about Modern Constructed, and will put their skills to the test at Pro Tour Oath of the Gatewatch which they are now all qualified for!
Congratulations once again to Marco Paulo De Jesus Freitas, for the well-deserved win and the flawless weekend!
Article
November 2 2015
Top 5 Cards
by Chapman Sim
#5: Knight of the Reliquary
It might seem like Knight of the Reliquary is past her heyday, but she's beginning to see some play again! As demonstrated by Grand Prix Porto Alegre Champion Marcos...
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DAY 2 COVERAGE
789 players arrived in Porto Alegre to play some Modern, but only a fraction have earned the right to return today. With only 84 aspirants left in the content, each of them had a 1.2% chance of winning the whole thing. Mathematically.
Only two players enter Day 2 with unblemished records, Marcelo Rodrigues Cavalcante and Grand Prix Buenos Aires finalist Marcos Paulo De Jesus Freitas. Naturally, they'll be faced off in Round 10 today and are fighting to become the sole undefeated 10-0 player.
Gabriel Fehr is also technically undefeated, coming in at 8-0-1. On their heels, seventeen players sit at 8-1, including the bubbly Platinum Pro, Thiago Saporito. Many others lurk closely behind, including Artur Villela, Guilherme Merjam, Paulo Ricardo Cortez, Pedro Carvalho, Mariano Cartechini, Lucas Esper Berthoud, all at 7-2 records and all equipped with Grand Prix Top 8 experience!
Only 6 more rounds will ensue before the Top 8 cut. With an excellent performance today, anyone could be crowned the Grand Prix Porto Alegre Champion!
May the best man win!
DAY 1 COVERAGE
789 players arrived in Porto Alegre to play some Modern, but only a fraction have earned the right to return tomorrow. If they wanted a good shot at the trophy tomorrow, the 84 aspirants would have to turn away some parties and rest well for yet another tough day ahead.
Only two players enter Day 2 with unblemished records, Marcelo Rodrigues Cavalcante and Grand Prix Buenos Aires finalist Marcos Paulo De Jesus Freitas. Gabriel Fehr is also technically undefeated, coming in at 8-0-1, 3rd in Swiss at the moment.
Seventeen players should be quite happy with their 8-1 result including the bubbly Thiago Saporito. He charged into Day 2 with a 7-0 record, before stumbling a little and then picking himself up. The other Platinum Pros in the room weren't that lucky though. Hall of Famers Paulo Vitor Damo Da Rosa and Willy Edel quickly picked up two losses right after their byes and were on the bubble even before Round 6 began.
Rounding of the pack are Artur Villela, Guilherme Merjam, Paulo Ricardo Cortez, Pedro Carvalho, Mariano Cartechini, Lucas Esper Berthoud, all at 7-2 records and all equipped with Grand Prix Top 8 experience!
For the Magic fanatics who haven't quite got enough of coverage, do take note that Grand Prix Lyon (Limited) and Grand Prix Indianapolis (Standard) are also taking place this weekend.
Alternatively, put on a swanky costume and go trick-o-treating! Happy Halloween!
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TWITTER: #gppoa