GPL Summer 2014 Recap: Week Three

Three weeks in and things are getting interesting. The seed planted by Vietnam's long-term efforts have become fruitful, and the taste might not be to the liking of Taiwanese palates. The Saigon Fantastic Five, especially, have ripened well under the heat of the Southeast Asian summer sun – but it was them taking a bite out of AHQ, rather than the other way around.

GAMES OF THE WEEK

AHQ vs Saigon Fantastic Five AHQ had been looking better and better with every passing week, so viewers could be pardoned for expecting this game to be a roll-over. In a way, they were right – but in the wrong direction. With Tsu's Death Sentences landing seemingly every cast, the Fantastic Five were quick to follow through: their three-man top lane push converted into two three kills and two turrets at 22 minutes. Wargods vs Saigon Fantastic Five Wargods' attempts to stymie QTV's growth turned into a comedy of errors at the 8:40 mark – a two-man push is usually enough to keep a solo-laner suppressed and fighting their own turret for farm, but Wargods' duo lane got too greedy. Not only did the outer turret pick off AD carry suEz, giving QTV a reset to punish Poysanity, but then Stronger dived in for what seemed like an easy cleanup gank. Naturally, QTV was happy for the 3-0 start. Insidious Gaming Legends vs Bangkok Titans Professor Lloyd's lessons in League of Legends dominance continued with an impressive performance against the Singaporean Insidious Gaming Legends. The raw impact he had against IGL's bot lane drew all focus onto him – a mutually beneficial situation where he has given a target-rich environment, and IGL was forced to leave top laner Warl0ck alone, free to take objectives. At 32 minutes, and after a big top lane teamfight win, it took only Lloyd and new jungler 007x to take down Baron Nashor, sealing IGL's fate.

OVERACHIEVERS OF THE WEEK

Nguyen Tran "QTV" Tuong Vu QTV may very well be the best Vietnamese top laner in the game, and the current game environment plays to his strengths. He rocks the AP top lane carries well – Kayle might not be a surprise, as her Runaan's Hurricane build is played across the world, but his Katarina was similarly lethal this week. Le "TSU" Anh Duy One hook, two hooks, three hooks – MORE?! Tsu was having a field day at AHQ's expense, with a Thresh that just wouldn't quit. To do so against a top Taiwanese team is impressive enough, but against the GarnetDevil/GreenTea lane is incredible. The new SF5 support player has definitely proven a wise investment.

SURPRISE OF THE WEEK

Hanoi Heroics The Saigon Fantastic Five's blow against AHQ was more than just a victory, given the history of the team. Their mutual 5-1 record puts them on equal footing, with two games against each other at the end of Week 3. There is now no doubt as to SF5's legitimacy as a top team – an improvement from their mercurial play last split, and even more impressive in light of their Season 3 disappointments. As a bonus, AHQ is also looking stronger than they were last split, increasing the profundity of SF5's victory. They may very well make it into semifinals this split – and with a little luck, even further.

DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE WEEK

Imperium No Team It's their second split in, and Imperium seems no better off than they were before. They're dead last in the standings – again – with the ignoble accomplishment of having the worst score in either group, "beating" newcomers Insidious Gaming Rebirth with one more loss so far. In comparison, hometown rivals Wargods at least managed a legitimate victory over Neolution Full Louis, and even one over Machi e-Sports under questionable circumstances. Both Filipino teams are struggling against regions with better gaming environments and support, but a winless split twice in a row is going to be damaging for Imperium's morale.

Related Articles

• GPL Summer 2014 Week 2 Recap
• GPL Summer Week 3 Preview