This spring split came down to two first time finalists – Team Liquid and 100 Thieves. Both teams have played phenomenally throughout the split, bringing them to the finals. “We had a rough start,” said Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, the ADC for Team Liquid, “but we were able to win when it counted.”
The series ended in Team Liquid having a 3-0 sweep over 100 Thieves. Jeong “Impact” Young, Team Liquid Top Laner, said, “Even though we won 3-0 each game was very close and I could have seen us losing.” With most of the games being decided by baron fights it really shows that both teams could have taken the title this year with how close these games were.
The first game of the series seemed to be fairly close, right up until Team Liquid jungler, Jake “Xmithie” Puchero managed a stunning Baron steal, that gave the team complete control of the game and helped them finish off the 100 Thieves Nexus in just under 30 minutes. Team Liquid never stopped thinking they could win even when some of their lanes were losing. “Xmithie and Impact have that neutral mindset keeping them in the game even when they are behind,” said James Patterson, Riot Analyst.
This mindset is what helped Team Liquid take the three games over 100 Thieves. Even when their top lane was losing they didn’t get down about it. The team focused other areas of the map to make up for how far behind top lane was. This is the mentality that all teams need to have in order to win these competitive games.
Along with the finals Riot Games also named the NA LCS Spring Split MVP. The MVP of the split ended up being Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black, the support for 100 Thieves. Black is the first support player to ever receive this award. Black helped push 100 Thieves to the number one seed for the split, while also leading them to the finals. “I am glad Aphromoo got the MVP because he has always been one of the strongest players in NA,” said Pleasant Valley High School Senior Callum Revell.
Throughout all of the games that happened this weekend and the MVP award it is shown that the right mindset wins games and helps bring your team to the top. Other teams need to realize that so they can reach the accomplishments that 100 Thieves and Team Liquid have reached this season.
