Cloud9Â is putting their embarrassing Rift Rivals 2019 performance behind them and look ready to take over the LCS.
The first round robin of the summer season wrapped up with Cloud9 scoring a huge win over Team Liquid. Despite looking unsteady in recent outings, the team is now in a tie for first place in the LCS.
After riding the bench last week due to illness, bottom laner Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi is fully recovered and back with the squad. Unfortunately, top laner Eric “Licorice” Ritchie has taken a leave of absence to recover from a wrist injury. Ziqing “Kumo” Zhao stepped in as a substitute and though many wondered if he was ready for the bright lights, C9 coach Bok “Reapered” Han-gyu confidently stated that he wasn’t worried about the call-up.
Kumo proved him right.
The match would be defined by the play of Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer on Veigar and Kumo on Jayce.
In the top lane, Kumo effectively neutralized Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong. The laning phase was painful for the Team Liquid top laner as he fell further and further behind in gold and farm.
While Kumo kept Impact in lane, Nisqy took the opportunity to apply pressure around the jungle and mid lane. Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen could not do much and even gave up a free solo kill to his lane opponent.
Team Liquid began looking towards neutral objectives to stay in the game but Cloud9 refused to let them mount a comeback. Looking for a fight around the baron pit, Cloud9 stole the Rift Herald from jungler Jake “Xmithie” Puchero with Kumo scoring a pair of kills in the process.
Cloud9 continued to hunt down Liquid’s players and take over the jungle.
Team Liquid tried to counter this with a trap, to no avail. Impact waited in the mid lane bush for his team’s initiation, hoping to get a good flank. Instead, the rest of the squad called off the play and Impact was taken out as a result.
Powered with the baron buff, Cloud9 went in for the win. Team Liquid couldn’t protect their base and gave up their nexus as a result.
With the win over Team Liquid, Cloud9 advanced into a five-way tie for first place in the LCS, joining Liquid, Team SoloMid, Counter Logic Gaming, and OpTic Gaming. Cloud9 returns on Sunday with a series against Clutch Gaming. Liquid will look to rebound at the expense of 100 Thieves.
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