NA’s last hope goes out with a bang.
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Cloud9 was the clear underdog in today’s quarterfinals series in Guangzhou, China, as they went up against China’s Team WE.
C9 had a steep hill to climb as they faced off one of the LPL’s beloved teams on their home court.
Impact and the rest of Cloud9 could not afford to lose this series as they stand as NA’s only hope for a second year in a row.
The Singed Investment
Cloud9 failed to close out their early game composition in game one resulting in a crushing 54-minute defeat at the hands of WE.
Impact chose to surprise the fans, WE, and the casters in the second game by bringing out one of his forgotten signature picks. Singed returns to the top lane in the hands of Impact.
The payoff of this pocket pick bore fruit towards the end of the game in this exciting team fight.
Cloud9 were taking baron under the guise of a control ward after picking off WE Support Ben. This 5v4 advantage was the perfect opportunity for a baron take.
WE Jungler Condi waited near their red camp as he prepared an attempt at stealing baron with no vision. The three remaining WE members were preparing for a fight on the other side of the river.
Cloud9 secured the baron but failed to execute the low health Condi as he dived into the pit. Most of C9’s lineup get out of pit, leaving their carry Sneaky by himself.
WE focus all their attention on C9 Jungler Contractz, leaving Sneaky free rein to land free auto attacks on the WE squad. WE Mid lane xiye and Top laner 957 both drop to half health before they think of retreating. This is where Impact came out with the play his team needed.
Impact on Singed ran straight toward’s WE’s Carry, Mystic, on Kog’Maw with a clutch Fling. This delivered WE’s Carry into a Shock wave from C9 Jensen’s Orianna.
Cloud9 would end the play with a shut down on xiye before pushing into WE’s base with a 5v2 advantage. This beautiful team fight equalized the series at 1-1, keeping the NA hope alive.
The entirety of C9 put their faith on Impact to deliver on an off-meta champion to do what they needed to do. Mystic on Kog’maw was such a huge threat and Singed was their answer to try and shut him down.
Cloud9 redeemed their dismal playoffs outing in the previous year where they were swept by Samsung galaxy in the quarterfinals. NA’s last hope exposed WE’s weakness to the entire world before succumbing to a 2-3 defeat.
Team WE move on to face Samsung Galaxy next week in the second semifinals matchup.
