GAME 1
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Phase,LBX,TSM
Ban,Skye,Adagio
1,Ardan,
2,,Fortress
3,,Ringo
4,Skaarf,
5,Blackfeather,
6,,Reim
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From the beginning, TSM had control over the game, stealing LBX’s farm and maintaining control over the entire jungle. From there, they snowballed methodically. At 5:50, as soon as CullTheMeek’s Ringo and MICSHE’s Reim both hit level 6, TSM picked a fight, won handily, and pushed over a turret and grabbed Gold Mine. At 9:00, LBX had one good fight, but unfortunately, Statusbaked and martohh overstayed in jungle, leading to their deaths instead of neutralizing the gold differential. At 14:40, TSM pulled their signature move, popping double infusions to win a fight, capture Kraken, take a turret, then push to win.
Result: TSM: 1 LBX: 0
GAME 2
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Phase,TSM,LBX
Ban,Ardan,Adagio
1,Skye,
2,,Catherine
3,,Vox
4,Fortress,
5,Koshka,
6,,Glaive
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TSM seemed to be outdrafted in this game – Koshka received some nerfs in 1.15 to bring her early-game under control, and her strong early-game was the only thing she had going for her. MICSHE on Koshka also seemed to build far too little defense – every time he dove onto ttigers or Statusbaked, he was stunned and deleted within seconds. LBX played very methodically this game, not overextending too much, instead pushing slowly and steadily. After the 14:00 mark, LBX aced TSM three times, taking turrets and finally Kraken to push to the win.
Result: TSM: 1 LBX: 1
GAME 3
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TSM,LBX
Ringo,Vox
Adagio,Glaive
Fortress,Catherine
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TSM had a rocky start as their junglers were caught and killed while attempting to steal farm multiple times, but the momentum turned around at around 6:00, where harass from CullTheMeek’s impressive Ringo play forced LBX back away from the turret, enabling TSM to take the first turret of the game for a 900 gold payout. At 7:00, momentum seemed to shift once again when TSM overstayed in LBX’s jungle and two of their members were picked off. However, at 9:00, TSM managed to turn the game around with an excellent fight, trading one member of their team for an ace. After that, the pressure from TSM didn’t let up, extending the gold lead to 6k at 12:00. At 12:30, MICSHE and FlashX both CP infused, and TSM went in for a fight, acing LBX and pushing to the win.
Result: TSM: 2 LBX: 1
After being upset earlier in the day by HHV, TSM had a tough series against previous NA champions LBX. A decisive first game in the favor of TSM was followed by a decisive second game in the favor of LBX. Despite a rough start in the third game, TSM pulled ahead with CullTheMeek carrying hard, showing off his incredible mechanics.
TSM secures their place in the semifinals after a tense series against previous NA champions LBX.