GPL Spring 2014 Quarterfinals Preview
Riot·3/19/2014, 12:01:02 AM·0 votes·245 views
After five weeks of intense rivalry and growing talent, eight of the twelve GPL teams of this split have been locked into their playoff standings. The cast-offs aren't surprising: Bangkok Titans and Manila Eagles failed once again to advance past the group stages, and Imperium Pro Team simply had no luck all split, though the decline of Neolution Full Louis comes as a disappointment after their strong winter debut. They will now have to survive their regional circuits to have another shot in the summer split.
For the remaining teams, however, all of the drama in the group stages was just preparation for this moment.
AHQ was unable to match rivals Taipei Assassins' flawless group stage record, but on the other hand, a 9-1 finish in the same group as the Taipei Snipers and Saigon Jokers is no laughing matter. AHQ's teamfight prowess remains one of the most formidable in the circuit. In contrast, the Sentinels have struggled with an identity crisis over the last month and a half, with apparent problems in their coordination. This will be an uphill battle for them.
Saigon Jokers vs Saigon Fantastic Five
Tragedy for the Vietnamese teams: they, too, were cast into the worst-possible scenario based off a mere one-point difference in their scores. If the Jokers were just a little more consistent by one win, or if the Fantastic Five a little less so, they would both be in position to take on a Taiwanese rival. Unfortunately, the reality is crueler: as the third-place and second-place teams in Group A and B respectively, one is fated to trample over the ambitions of the other to advance.
There is one silver lining: due to their quarterfinals face-off, there is guaranteed to be a Vietnamese presence in the semifinals. But which team that might be is extremely difficult to predict. The Fantastic Five have been incredible this split – that is, in comparison to their dismal performances in prior seasons. Something worth noting, SF5's actual win/loss record is still a step behind that of the Jokers, who are coming into the playoffs with momentum built off snapping AHQ's undefeated streak. This will be the first time that the two teams have an opportunity to publicly test each other's' mettles since the start of the split.
But is it enough, and in time, to topple the Snipers? There is at least hope. The Snipers have been playing worse since Mistake's departure – not poorly though. While their mechanics and broad strategy have remained similarly powerful, their specific tactics have notably become less stable this split. Winds is more likely to lose objectives this split than steal them, but his playmaking ability has remained indomitable.
Azubu Taipei Assassins vs Insidious Gaming
The Taipei Assassins are back from Katowice, humbled by a quick and dirty defeat in the hands of western teams. But they didn't come out of it without proof of valor. Their first game of the weekend ended in a resounding defeat... for Gambit Gaming, who was once again unprepared for the fury unleashed upon them by a Taiwanese team.
Although the subsequent rematch went totally against TPA's favor, as did their game against Cloud 9, the gap between the Assassins and the international circuit is still smaller than that between them and Insidious Gaming. Not that the rookie team hasn't shown a fine mechanical and tactical grasp in their debut season, but the difficulties they faced against the Taiwanese teams in their own group will be amplified against the Assassins.
The GPL quarterfinals kick off this Wednesday, March 19, at 3:00 AM PDT/11:00 AM CET. English broadcasts are available.
WEEK 1
AHQ e-Sports Club vs Singapore Sentinels This was exactly the situation that the Sentinels wanted to avoid. They were but a single point away from tying with the Yoe Flash Wolves for third place, but SGS's shocking loss to the Manila Eagles and the Wolves' major win against a resurgent Fantastic Five sealed their fates. As the fourth place team in Group B, they are now fated to meet Group A's leaders – and they do not look prepared.
AHQ was unable to match rivals Taipei Assassins' flawless group stage record, but on the other hand, a 9-1 finish in the same group as the Taipei Snipers and Saigon Jokers is no laughing matter. AHQ's teamfight prowess remains one of the most formidable in the circuit. In contrast, the Sentinels have struggled with an identity crisis over the last month and a half, with apparent problems in their coordination. This will be an uphill battle for them.
Saigon Jokers vs Saigon Fantastic Five
Tragedy for the Vietnamese teams: they, too, were cast into the worst-possible scenario based off a mere one-point difference in their scores. If the Jokers were just a little more consistent by one win, or if the Fantastic Five a little less so, they would both be in position to take on a Taiwanese rival. Unfortunately, the reality is crueler: as the third-place and second-place teams in Group A and B respectively, one is fated to trample over the ambitions of the other to advance.
There is one silver lining: due to their quarterfinals face-off, there is guaranteed to be a Vietnamese presence in the semifinals. But which team that might be is extremely difficult to predict. The Fantastic Five have been incredible this split – that is, in comparison to their dismal performances in prior seasons. Something worth noting, SF5's actual win/loss record is still a step behind that of the Jokers, who are coming into the playoffs with momentum built off snapping AHQ's undefeated streak. This will be the first time that the two teams have an opportunity to publicly test each other's' mettles since the start of the split.
WEEK 2
Azubu Taipei Snipers vs Yoe Flash Wolves The Yoe Flash Wolves, formerly world representatives Gamania Bears, were not performing well for most of this split. Mountain's dramatic and aggressive debut in the GPL was quickly dissected and planned against, and the team's overall synergy looked dire. They were the extreme opposite of AHQ in style: a reckless rush for turrets and objectives, but quickly fell apart in every head-on fight. But a late role swap might make them the dark horse of the tournament: putting Mountain in mid lane and REFRA1N in the jungle has worked surprisingly well in the last couple of weeks, with Mountain especially showing fine mechanical grasp with Nidalee's Javelin Toss.
But is it enough, and in time, to topple the Snipers? There is at least hope. The Snipers have been playing worse since Mistake's departure – not poorly though. While their mechanics and broad strategy have remained similarly powerful, their specific tactics have notably become less stable this split. Winds is more likely to lose objectives this split than steal them, but his playmaking ability has remained indomitable.
Azubu Taipei Assassins vs Insidious Gaming
The Taipei Assassins are back from Katowice, humbled by a quick and dirty defeat in the hands of western teams. But they didn't come out of it without proof of valor. Their first game of the weekend ended in a resounding defeat... for Gambit Gaming, who was once again unprepared for the fury unleashed upon them by a Taiwanese team.
Although the subsequent rematch went totally against TPA's favor, as did their game against Cloud 9, the gap between the Assassins and the international circuit is still smaller than that between them and Insidious Gaming. Not that the rookie team hasn't shown a fine mechanical and tactical grasp in their debut season, but the difficulties they faced against the Taiwanese teams in their own group will be amplified against the Assassins.
The GPL quarterfinals kick off this Wednesday, March 19, at 3:00 AM PDT/11:00 AM CET. English broadcasts are available.