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TSM, Cloud 9 Storm Into League of Legends NA Final
An old favorite and a new challenger sweep their way into Sunday's LCS NA Grand Final at PAX Prime.
League of Legends NA Regionals Day 2
© Dabe Alan
There appears to be no stopping Cloud 9 or TSM Snapdragon right now.
Both League of Legends teams dominated the semifinals of the LCS North American Regionals at PAX Prime in Seattle, Wa. with 2-0 sweeps to land into Sunday’s Grand Finals and grab a berth into next month’s World Championships.
First came TSM, the Season 2 champs who struggled early this season adjusting to the LCS regular season grind. But they downed Counter Logic Gaming in the quarterfinals on Friday, and on Saturday swept away Vulcun Techbargains in two straight games and neither were super close.
Vulcun Techbargains at the 2013 LCS NA Regionals
© Dabe Alan
Vulcun had their moments in Game 1, holding TSM at bay with 4 kills each through 17 minutes, but got aced at the 25 minute mark as TSM grabbed Baron and headed to the opposing team’s base. Game 2 was rarely in doubt. A major team battle at the dragon early in the game, gave TSM a 5-3 edge in kills and a lead in gold and a triple kill and then a Baron kill 32 minutes in to the match eventually led to a GG. TSM shared a group hug, while fans erupted with a raucous chant of “T-S-M! T-S-M!” to celebrate the victory of the popular team.
“We were 2-2 against them during the season, which is pretty average but we’d had good games against them and we were very confident going into this match,” Alex “XSpecial” Chu, TSM’s support player told Red Bull eSports.
“There’s so many fans that come out to support us and we can hear them so I tell my team ‘These guys are cheering for us. Let’s win.’ And today we played one of our best games so far this season.”
Cloud 9
© Dabe Alan
Meanwhile, Cloud 9, formerly known as Quantic Gaming, finished the regular season with the best record 25-3 and showed Team Dignitas why they’re feared in the WCS. Dignitas went up early and held a 4-0 kill advantage and a slight edge in gold over the first 20 minutes. But the midgame was all Cloud 9, especially after Hai Lam playing as Fizz pulled off a jawdropping double kill to push Cloud 9 into the lead.
“We’ve played from behind before and we didn’t think we were that far behind,” Hai told Red Bull eSports. “Plus we knew we could win teamfights so once we started losing lanes, we made the decision to forget lane phases and just go teamfights now, so that’s what we did and it worked out for us.
Game 2 was the most lopsided game of the tournament. Dignitas only managed six kills on Cloud 9, who dropped the nexus in less than 30 minutes.
Cloud 9 will face TSM in Sunday’s finale for LCS NA Regional Champion but both teams are happy they’ve qualified for the World Championship already.
It’s definitely a big relief for me. I couldn’t necessarily eat that well in the last day or two because I was so nervous,” said Hai. “But now that we won and at Worlds no matter what, I’ll be able to eat. I’ll have a feast tonight.
Meanwhile, Team Dignitas will face Vulcun in the third place match and the winner will get the third and final spot for the World Championship. In other League of Legends action at PAX on Saturday, CLG defeated Curse to secure a slot for the roster of Season 4.
To watch the Grand Finals go HERE.
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