[OGN] Champions Winter 2012-13 Recap #3

Two weeks ago, the first games of the NLB Diamond league started with NaJin Shield versus MVP White and GSG versus LG-IM.
The match between NaJin Shield and MVP White promised to be a really close and exciting one. On the other hand, LG-IM was favored against GSG. However, GSG did give KT Rolster B a hard time in their group stage matches and they went toe to toe with a number of other top Korean teams. While both series were expected to be good games, sadly, only one of the series delivered.

NaJin Shield vs MVP White

As a fan of MVP White I cringed at their games. NaJin Shield simply dominated them in every possible way in the first Bo3. The only one who maintained his usual skillset was MVP Imp. It seemed that MVP White lacked focus and a game plan. They were just not comfortable with their picks. NaJin Shield instead play their standard game and won two times with ease.

The second Bo3 started similarly like the first one, with MVP White still asleep with no idea what they want to achieve. In the second game it looked like they are finally awake and fought with Shield on the same level and managed to win the second match. This invoked some hope that MVP White is back to their standard form but sadly they could not take the momentum in the third game and lost with a 9:0 kill disadvantage.

GSG vs. LG-IM

While it was expected that GSG could give LG-IM a run for their money, LG-IM was still favored to win. However, nothing went as planned. GSG played like their team's future depended on this series while LG-IM was not prepared for the uncommon picks of GSG. Cheonju the ADC picked Rumble and Easy, midplayer, went AP Ezreal. GSG, in good spirits, managed to take the second game as well.

The second Bo3 started with a convincing victory for LG-IM and it looked like that LG-IM reassessed the situation and started to take the match series. But by then, it was too late and GSG swept through the final two games to seal the second Bo3 with a victory. It is a wonder how there are still talented Korean teams like GSG that remain unsponsored. I hope that with the start of the OGN Champions Spring Season we will see them in a professional team.

Xenics Storm vs. CJ Entus

The new Xenics Storm showcased several good games and proved that they have the potential to seriously contend in the next OGN Season. But their efforts were not enough to beat CJ Entus, who have improved a lot in the OGN Winter Season and have pushed Azubu Frost to their limits. Xenics Storm started with a very convincing victory in the first game in the series, but in spite of this CJ did not panic and kept their cool. CJ continued on to win the other two games and CJ Space impressed with his strong caitlynn play. The second series was a clean 2:0 for CJ Entus. CJ 다데 and CJ Kkinsh convingly carried games 1 and 2 respectively as CJ shut out Xenics Storm.

MVP Blue vs. KT A

This series surprised many as KT A entered as the clear favorite in what ended up as a hotly contested 3-game series. NoFe and Me5 of MVP Blue were especially strong in the first game, with MVB Blue Jungler NoFe contributing to 94% of all of MVP Blue's kills, and Me5 with 88%, with their efforts being rewarded with victory. The second match was a good team effort from MVP Blue whereby Hermes carried his team with his Ezreal. KT A however prepared for this game better than the last and they proved it with a comeback with a brilliant performance from KT ReSEt. In the third game, while KT Vitamin was in the front and centre of the stage crushing top lane, it was largely thanks to his supporting actor KT ReSEt (Jungler) who kept the tempo of the lane in KT Vitamin's favor. KT ReSEt also extended his prowess to midlane, crushing the enemy mid early on. The score was even and for the second time in NLB Winter the game went into the deciding game in which, of these two teams, only MVP Blue had gathered experience to rely upon. This experience showed in MVP Blue's performance, which seemed to be at another level as compared to KT A's. In conclusion, MVP Blue advanced to the Semi-Finals.

Next Games will be the Semi-Finals.

Najin Shield vs. GSG on www.nicegame.tv Tuesday, Jan 22 10:00am GMT (GMT+00:00)
and
CJ Entus vs. MVP Blue on www.nicegame.tv Thursday, Jan 24 10:00am GMT (GMT+00:00)

Predicting the results of the up-coming third place match is like moderating a Reddit subforum; no matter how hard you try you keep finding ourself stretched in multiple directions. On one hand coming first in their Group Stage, with a 2-0 victory over Azubu Blaze no less, suggests they offer serious competition to break the NaJin/Azubu grip on the Korean scene. With Azubu Blaze smarting after their loss at IEM Katowice and likely conserving strategies to support their sibling team, there's the very likely chance Azubu will once again fail to place both teams in the Top 3.

On the other hand, KT Roster's loss to NaJin throws that all in doubt. KT Rolster can win games, but elimination matches are completely different to Group matches. With both teams having a large amount of time to prepare, things will come down to how well they know themselves, and their opponent.

KT Rolster's loss to NaJin is perhaps not as surprising as it first seems. Their practise partner team (KT Rolster A) is less experienced and with experience comes the ability to identify flaws, play mindgame and understand just how to approach the pick/ban phase. It was clear from the drafting between the two teams that NaJin knew exactly what they wanted to do against KT Rolster, responding to their threats and having clear plans in mind. KT Rolster simply fell into line like a student in language classes as NaJin dictated the game to them. While this will no doubt fade away as a factor as time progresses, unfortunately KT Rolster don't have a year or two to play their OGN match. However, thanks to Azubu Blaze likely only playing what they have already revealed in order to assists Azubu Frost, it opens up an opportunity for KT Rolster to draft around what may be a predictable Azubu. So, the ₩24,000,000 question: Can they do it?

If Azubu Blaze really choose to reveal absolutely no information at at, absolutely yes.