The VCT Pacific groups have been in Seoul, South Korea for almost two months at this level, and the final usually scheduled week of the group stage of the season started with an enormous upset.
Coming into their match in opposition to one another, Gen.G Esports and Talon Esports have been following paths that veer in two very totally different instructions. Whereas Gen.G has been on the high of the league till just a few latest stumbles got here alongside, Talon has solely regarded higher with every match they play.
Regardless of Talon’s normal upward trajectory, Gen.G have been nonetheless the heavy favorites on this match as certainly one of solely two groups which have managed to take a map off of DRX, Asia’s greatest staff. It appears to be like like Gen.G’s struggles would possibly simply be getting began, nevertheless, as they misplaced to Talon 2-0 on this week seven matchup.
The groups settled on Fracture for the primary map of the day, which was not a stunning choose for them since this was the map the place they received the higher of DRX. Nonetheless, Talon’s in-game chief Crws later mentioned in his post-match interview that he was stunned Gen.G opted for this map at present.
Crws had himself certainly one of his most dominant performances in latest historical past on Fracture at present. It’s evident that a part of Talon’s newfound confidence of their play is, a minimum of partially, coming from their in-game chief. He all the time appears to be like calm and targeted on the stage and can be taking part in properly individually.
Gen.G didn’t carry out as poorly as they did final week once they misplaced to India’s International Esports, however their star gamers, particularly, have been noticeably absent on Fracture. K1Ng had a lot much less influence on Viper than his staff would have hoped, particularly as she is certainly one of his signature agent picks. Meteor, Gen.G’s duelist participant, ended the map with a headshot hit proportion of solely 9 p.c. Ever since Gen.G’s dominant win over their longtime rivals T1, it seems like their gameplay simply hasn’t been the identical.
On the opposite aspect of the coin, JitboyS was completely on fireplace for Talon alongside Crws. JitboyS managed to high the leaderboard with 20 kills and two assists, however pulling out these statistics on Cypher of all brokers. He may need one hand on the trophy for greatest Cypher within the VCT Pacific League at this level.
Talon gained Fracture 13-8, and issues regarded darkish for Gen.G heading into their opponent’s map choose.
Transferring to Lotus, Gen.G determined to make a roster swap, one thing they’ve opted for a lot of instances over the previous couple of weeks. They introduced out eKo in favor of Sylvan as their initiator participant. Sylvan is a brand new pickup for the staff and has slowly began to return in for increasingly maps.
Meteor continued to indicate worrying kind for Gen.G on Lotus. He was making many small errors that appeared uncharacteristic of how properly he had performed up to now.
As Gen.G continued to indicate worrying kind by way of the primary half of Lotus, it felt like their staff synergy simply wasn’t there in comparison with earlier weeks.
Once more on the aspect of Talon, it felt like nothing might go mistaken. GarnetS performed essentially the most confidently on this match as he has all season, even pushing far up on protection to close down Gen.G’s pushes earlier than they even began.
Gen.G’s in-game chief TS was clearly not on the identical stage at present as Crws on the opposite aspect of the stage, however he stayed calm and was in a position to come out robust in some clutch eventualities that stored his staff within the sport.
The primary half of Lotus was shut, however Talon’s assault aspect was but to return. Recognized for his or her chaotic aggressive methods, there was concern within the air for Gen.G.
Crws continued to guide by instance and set a extremely excessive normal for his staff to observe. Talon’s aggressive, “W gaming” technique labored wonders for them at present. Their engagements regarded much less chaotic and extra calculated however nonetheless held that signature Talon type that this roster of gamers popularized.
In desperation mode, Meteor lastly confirmed up with an ace in spherical nineteen, but it surely was simply too little too late.
Talon gained Lotus 13-7 and took the match 2-0 in a large upset.
Gen.G is now on a little bit of a regarding shedding streak. The staff is with out a win for the reason that aforementioned sport in opposition to T1 final month. Although they possible have put in sufficient strong matches to nonetheless get a playoff spot, their trajectory is worrying.
On the opposite aspect, Talon is lastly beginning to look robust once more after this large win and their shut sport in opposition to Paper Rex final week. They even beat Japan’s ZETA DIVISION 2-0 the week earlier than that, upsetting one of many groups that so desperately needs to make it to Masters Tokyo to signify their residence nation.
Each Gen.G and Talon shall be taking part in two video games every subsequent week, as it’s the begin of back-to-back superweeks for the Pacific League. You can find the full match schedule and scores here.
