The League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) has set its first steps towards crowning a Mid-Season Showdown champion.
On Saturday, regular season number two TSM went head-to-head with Team Liquid, who had finished in third place. What was all set to be a nailbiter series quickly turned into a heavily Team Liquid-favored series. Though TSM opened strongly in the first game and had the first win within their hands, they inexplicably lost control and threw the game. When Team Liquid also secured a win in the second game, this time far more comfortably, everything was pointing towards an easy 3-0 sweep.
However, TSM did bounce back in game three. Off the back of an outstanding Tristana performance from bot laner Lawrence "Lost" Sze Yuy Hui, TSM waltzed over Team Liquid. The idea of a full comeback turned into a quick illusion though, as Team Liquid brushed off their one loss and struck hard in the fourth game. Though TSM did pick up three drakes, Team Liquid simply played for the map, rapidly gaining a gold lead. With top laner Barney "Alphari" Morris firing on all cylinders, the series ended in a 3-1 victory for Team Liquid.
Sunday's match between Cloud9 and 100 Thieves was far from being close. Straight out of the gate, Cloud9 showed up with a clear strategy and simply superious map play. Though the first game ended up being relatively close, the two subsequent games were far from it. Mid laner Luka "Perkz" Perkovic and jungler Robert "Blaber" Huang were having a field day, whereas the collective squad of 100 Thieves were nearly invisible. With a 3-0 victory, Cloud9 advanced in the bracket.
Coming weekend, the first matches of the Mid-Season Showdown lower bracket will commence. On Staturday, March 27th, TSM faces Evil Geniuses in an elimination series. 100 Thieves will have to prove they're worthy of staying around against Dignitas on Sunday, March 28th. Both Cloud9 and Team Liquid get one week off, as they prepare to face each other on April 3rd.
Riot Games has announced an expansion of officially partnered broadcasts for their LEC Spring Split Playoffs, including streams in six new languages.
Image courtesy Riot Games.
