KT Rolster 2-0 KSV
KT Rolster emerged victorious on Tuesday with a 2-0 series win over KSV Esports during League of Legends Champions Korea in Seoul.
In what can charitably be described as a war of attrition, KT Rolster (7-2) managed to stay on top of KSV Esports (5-4), though the former world champions didn't exactly make that difficult. Regardless of which lineup KSV brought to the Rift, it couldn't seem to generate any momentum, sitting on its hands and allowing KT to take the reins. That's not to say that KSV didn't have its moments, but they were few and far between, often coming too late into the match.
KT, meanwhile, stamped its authority all over this series, utilizing methodical pick compositions to grind KSV into submission. AD carry Kim "Deft" Hyuk-kyu took Caitlyn into both contests and dictated the pace of both games, sieging KSV's structures with impunity. Indeed, all of KT Rolster played well, to the point where it was hard to choose a single standout performer. In all honesty, the lopsided nature of this series is somewhat suspect as it took KT roughly 90 minutes of combined game time to put KSV away, and KSV looked like it couldn't get on the same page, but a 2-0 win is still a 2-0 win. KT might not be the most exciting team in the league, but it certainly got the job done.
KSV Esports will look to get back on track when it takes on Kongdoo Monster on Thursday at 6 a.m ET, while KT Rolster prepares to battle the Jin Air Green Wings on Sunday at 3 a.m ET.
--Noah Waltzer
SKT 2-0 Kongdoo
SK Telecom held on to take out Kongdoo Monster 2-1 on Tuesday to kick off Week 5 of the LCK in Seoul.
Both teams came into this series in desperate need of a win. SK Telecom (4-5) was on the verge of breaking through after an abysmal start to the season, After finally figuring out a consistent roster with rookie jungler Park "Blossom" Beom-chan in the starting lineup, though, SKT has looked increasingly better. In contrast, Kongdoo Monster (2-7) have started the year as most people expected it to: near the bottom of the standings. Despite the difference in pedigree between both sides, this series was close up until the third game, and even then KDM looked like it could've run away with things early on.
After SKT dominated in Game 1, Kongdoo came back with a vengeance in Game 2, methodically picking SKT apart. In a fresh turn of events for Kongdoo, jungler Oh "Raise" Ji-hwan made a positive impact for Kongdoo, picking Camille in the final two games to mixed success. KDM almost threatened to take home the series after taking Game 2 and coming out firing with a 3/0 kill lead in Game 3, but SKT's veteran status prevailed, ending Game 3 in 27 minutes. SKT fought hard, maybe too hard considering the caliber of its opponents, but it'll take every win it gets in this rebuilding era, taking one more step towards establishing a new legendary SKT dynasty.
Kongdoo Monster now prepares for KSV Esports on Thursday at 6 a.m ET, while SK Telecom will take on ROX Tigers on Saturday at 3 a.m ET.
--Noah Waltzer