Legendary League of Legends midlaner Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok is one step closer to returning to the Worlds stage, after his T1 team advanced to the LCK semifinals.
The former champions convincingly defeated Liiv SANDBOX 3-0 in the LCK summer playoffs.
SANDBOX had surprised observers this season, sealing a respectable fifth place in the regular season, but cracking the playoffs proved to be a step too far when faced with a resurgent T1.
The series was marked by the return of Park "Teddy" Jin-seong to the position of starting ADC, the coaches opting for his experience in a crucial playoff match.
It didn't take long for him to leave his mark, achieving an almost immediate first blood in the first game. The team rallied around him, with Moon "Oner" Hyeon-joon's Viego putting in a perfect 8/0/10 performance in a 26-minute win.
The second game was a more stretched-out 48 minutes, with T1 less consistent in targeting their opponents. They allowed SANDBOX three fire drakes and a Baron, but thanks to Faker's LeBlanc (8-1-6) -- and once again Oner's Viego (4-0-10), T1 secured the second game.
The third was somewhat wild, especially in T1's draft. Opting for Gnar, Nidalee and Orianna, they gave up another three dragons to SANDBOX -- who played a much more aggressive match.
However, T1 prevailed, and will now face Gen.G for a spot in the LCK finals. With reigning champions DWG KIA and the sparkling Nongshim RedForce, making worlds isn't a given for Faker -- but he is closer.
The next updates coming to League of Legends will be especially cautious, since Riot doesn't want to disrupt things too much in the lead up to Worlds.
