Worlds 2016: SKT Impresses, Sends Cloud9 to Quarterfinals

                                            FW                                                 SKT

Bans:                     Karma, Zyra, Ryze                  Alistar, Nidalee, Syndra

Top:                                Poppy                                             Trundle

Jungle:                          Lee Sin                                              Olaf

Mid:                                 Viktor                                            Lissandra

ADC:                               Caitlyn                                             Ezreal

Support:                         Braum                                              Nami

SK Telecom T1 subbed in jungler Bae “Bengi” Seong-woong for Kang “Blank” Sun-gu for their final match of the evening.

The early game mostly started slow, but at nine minutes, SKT and Flash Wolves both committed teleports bottom and traded one-for-one. Later, at 14 minutes, Lee “Duke” Ho-seong inadvertently took two turret shots top lane, and with a timely Viktor roam, Huang “Maple” Yi-Tang secured another kill for Flash Wolves.

At 18 minutes, SKT double teleported bot lane and killed Braum and Poppy for a two-for-zero advantage and a subsequent 3k gold lead.

Later, at 23 minutes, SKT, led by Bengi, initiated a top lane fight where they nearly aced the Flash Wolves. Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok died, but the SKT bottom lane each netted two kills. SKT snowballed their lead by taking three turrets around the map, the top outer turret and the bottom inner and outer turrets.

At 30 minutes, SKT headed to Baron but it was merely a bait as they killed three and headed right back to Baron to take it for free. However, Flash Wolves arrived back in time, and Hung “Karsa” Hau-Hsuan miraculously stole the Baron. No matter, SKT still had full control of the game and a gargantuan 10k gold lead. 

SKT took a fight in the bottom side jungle of Flash Wolves where Faker was instantly popped, but they used their insurmountable gold lead to brute-force their way through the Flash Wolves frontline. 

At 38 minutes, SKT took Baron and destroyed Flash Wolves in a completely lopsided team fight which promptly led to the end of the game at 39 minutes. SK Telecom absolutely dominated through all stages of the game, but had a few mishaps that slowed down their inevitable victory.

SK Telecom T1 improve to an impressive 5-1, as they look to defend their title this year. With FW’s defeat, they are eliminated from playoff contention; thus, Cloud9 has clinched a spot as NA’s only team in the Worlds quarterfinals.

What do you think about the action so far today at Worlds? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting us @GAMURScom.