Fittingly, the story was all about Team Acer on the first day of the ATC playoffs. The green-clad quartet of MMA, Scarlett, INnoVation, and Bly took out Team Liquid and partner team Axiom Esports to become the first team to enter the grand finals. Team Acer now await to see which team will make its way through the losers bracket on day two, who they will face in the grand finals for a prize of $10,000.
While many expected Team Acer to be the favorites in the playoffs, few would have predicted INnoVation to take a back seat. Instead of the GSTL and Proleague winning ace, it was MMA and Scarlett who starred for the team. MMA scored an impressive all-kill against Team Liquid, defeating super-ace TaeJa twice. As for Scarlett, she came out as Acer's final runner in a close match against GSTL co-champions Axiom. Despite suffering huge damage against Ryung's hellion banshee tactics, Scarlett persevered to stage a comeback with her fantastic muta-ling-bane use and take the ace match.
Unfortunately for Team Liquid and Western Wolves, concerns about their supporting casts proved to be valid as they failed to take any games. The Liquid Zerg trio of Snute, Ret, and TLO fell alongside TaeJa, while on Western Wolves only ex-KeSPA player and regular season ace Check was able to take a map.
The ATC playoffs conclude on day two of the tournament, which will begin with Team Liquid facing Western Wolves in the losers' bracket.
Acer definitely looking good last quarter of the year. Scarlett has most certainly improved.
Also, people should remember best game of the for the wcs vote thread, think of Fantasy vs True on whirlwind, and Innovation vs Hyvva on new tristram in gstl. 2 of the best games of the year imo and worth watching!
MMA was on fire today, i regret counting him out during game between him and ryung, but ryung did play extremely well so hopefully in 2014 ryung and the rest of axiom can make some significant feats in individual leagues, but axiom is not out yet, so i hope they can win against the winner of Liquid and WW. Im hoping for Liquid vs Axiom (since tl and axiom r both my favs going into this tourny), ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ﾉ raise your taeja ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ﾉ .
On December 15 2013 13:13 GunPaladin wrote: wow@TL getting 5-0'd, what were they thinking fielding ret and snute? Hero and Zenio should've been mandatory for this, Hero at the very least.
HerO is in Korea prepping for the proleague season. And no offense against zenio but i´d rather have those two
I wonder at what point TeamLiquid's sponsoring of an SC2 team will lead them to a loss, not in terms of actual games but in terms of net value. Like, when do contracts and salaries begin to hurt them more than whatever money they make from ads/sponsors/merchandise/etc.? I feel like it's coming soon -_-;
On December 15 2013 16:16 Jealous wrote: I wonder at what point TeamLiquid's sponsoring of an SC2 team will lead them to a loss, not in terms of actual games but in terms of net value. Like, when do contracts and salaries begin to hurt them more than whatever money they make from ads/sponsors/merchandise/etc.? I feel like it's coming soon -_-;
I don't sponsorship/merch sales are *that* closely tied to results that a small dip in performance will slash profits.
On December 15 2013 18:09 RaiKageRyu wrote: Looks like MMA's got Liquids number on the back of his hand.
"Hello, have I reached Team Liquid?" "Yes, this is Taeja speaking, how may I help you?" "I'd like to order one all-kill, please!" "Certainly, coming right up!"
Is there an Axiom-Acer decal to put in the corner? I don't want to choose one over the other :/
On December 15 2013 10:50 mostwanted wrote: Taeja is over rated
totally agree
Definitely not. Taeja is one of the strongest players there is currently, probably even the strongest terran achievement wise in the last few months. This tournament however, simply doesn't have enough prize money on the line for him to show his true skill.
On December 15 2013 10:50 mostwanted wrote: Taeja is over rated
totally agree
Definitely not. Taeja is one of the strongest players there is currently, probably even the strongest terran achievement wise in the last few months. This tournament however, simply doesn't have enough prize money on the line for him to show his true skill.
I wouldn't say so.
TaeJa certainly is not over rated but I don't think his yesterday losses has anything to do with prize money. Being strongest terran player or overall player doesn't mean you always win. The competition in highest lvl is very hard and skill wise TaeJa is not much better than lets say players like Scarlett, Innovation, Maru, Soulkey, Rain, even MMA etc.
I have faith that today he will bounce back and we will at least see Liquid vs Acer rematch tho .
On December 15 2013 10:50 mostwanted wrote: Taeja is over rated
totally agree
Definitely not. Taeja is one of the strongest players there is currently, probably even the strongest terran achievement wise in the last few months. This tournament however, simply doesn't have enough prize money on the line for him to show his true skill.
almost all of Taeja's tournament wins had small prize pools.
EPT
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Waxangel/ATC/atcbracket2.png)
INnoVation to take a back seat. Instead of the GSTL and Proleague winning ace, it was 
Scarlett who starred for the team. MMA scored an impressive all-kill against Team Liquid, defeating super-ace TaeJa twice. As for Scarlett, she came out as Acer's final runner in a close match against GSTL co-champions Axiom. Despite suffering huge damage against 
.
