Zane Scott will look to continue his giant-killing form in this week's round of the LPL Pro NBA 2K18 1on1 NZ Championship.
Scott, who plays under the screen name "stonecoldkilla" caused the biggest upset of the opening matches when he knocked off esports professional Campbell "airbrn" Knowles.
Knowles, who was seeded fourth, is contracted to the recently-launched Breakaway Esports club, owned by the New Zealand Breakers basketball franchise, and has plenty of experience in NBA 2K and Fifa.
But CVs mean little once the controllers are in the hands of the players and Scott, the North Island's fifth seed, showed he can foot it with the country's best.
"It gave me a little boost as this is my first tournament and I didn't really expect to make it to the top eight," Scott said.
On Sunday he will meet No 1 seed and defending champion Shakor "Te_Shakor_Pakii" Paki.
Paki accounted for Sharaz "Tyceno" Aslam during his first clash and brings plenty of pedigree to the contest given his exploits during the past 12 months.
Scott knows it won't be an easy outing with a spot in the North Island Conference Final on the line.
"I know that he is really good playing with GSW, so I'm going to have to bring my A game and my defence has to be lock down if I'm going to come out with the victory."
Playing as the Golden State Warriors has been most players' first choice during the tournament so finding a way to defeat the Warriors would provide an edge.
That is exactly what Scott has worked on in his preparation.
"I've just been playing with the Spurs lately because I think they are the team that has the striking power to defeat the Warriors."
This week's coverage will get underway at 2.30pm on Maori TV and online on Twitch. In the round's other clash, second seed Paul "Zirinic_" Cooper will meet No 3 Jahkel "Notorious-God" Mita.
Mita said he had not done anything different in his preparation ahead of this week but knew he had a tough opponent on his hands.
"He's big in the New Zealand 2K world," Mita said. "He's a good player; also, a cool dude."
So there appears to be more mutual respect than trash talk setting up their match as players vie for that Conference Final berth.
All players are trying to work their way towards claiming a share of the $15,000 prize pool, including a $5000 first prize.
In last week's matches, Jake "JD" Downes, the tournament's youngest player and third seed, swept sixth seed Jordan "Hendo" Henderson 2-0 to book a spot in the South Island's Final Four.
Joining him will be seventh seed Regan "TROPIC_Superstar" Small who beat second seed Sahan "GhettoClownFish" Petta 2-1.
Key Information
Event: LPL Pro NBA 2K18 1on1 NZ Championship Game: NBA 2K18 When: Every Sunday, 2:30pm, July 21-September 30 Watch: Maori TV and www.Twitch.tv/letsplay.live
