On the afternoon of April 24, GAM Esports entered the VCS Spring 2022 finals with a record of 14 unbeaten matches. Their opponents were Saigon Buffalo – the team that had previously defeated Team Secret 3-2 in a tense showdown. Not only did this replicate the VCS Spring 2021 finals from last season, but both teams had different missions. GAM aimed to maintain their unbeaten record and establish a good psychological foundation ahead of SEA Games 31, while SGB sought to prove their worth for MSI 2022.
And each game in this BO5 matchup lived up to the audience’s expectations for the most notable match of VCS Spring 2022, and perhaps one of the most remarkable games in the League of Legends scene at this time. In game 1, it can be said that Sty1e showcased that GAM had a very reliable Marksman, addressing the inherent weakness since Noway’s departure. Zeri in Sty1e’s hands was simply unstoppable. The almost perfect KDA of 10/1/10 was the strongest affirmation against doubts about whether GAM would still “give a handicap to the Marksman” in decisive matches.
However, in game 2, SGB demonstrated they were no longer the “Easily Defeated Buffalo” from VCS Winter 2021. Coach Ren’s squad executed their strategy well, putting GAM in a tough spot. Zeri was chosen again in game 2 but was no longer effective. SGB quickly closed out the second game, bringing the match back to square one with their outstanding performance.
But that was all the “Young Buffaloes” could do against the “Heavenly Mandate” GAM. On a day when Sty1e performed at an incredibly high level, reminiscent of T1’s Gumayusi, the other names in the GAM lineup also performed flawlessly. From Kiaya to Kati, Levi, and Bie. The Zeri – Yuumi combo in game 3 was simply executed perfectly by GAM’s bot lane duo, showcasing “200 years of experience” from Riot.
Meanwhile, in the decisive game 4, it was Kiaya’s Camille that made an impact. The “Top Lane God” faced a rough start but once he secured his first kills, he “did it all.” The Ultimate – Grand Entrance combo combined with Lucian’s Execution from Sty1e was more than enough. Shogun and Hasmed were severely outplayed, while Ziggs in Froggy’s hands was rendered harmless; BeanJ alone was not enough. SGB had to accept defeat despite once leading with many advantages.
With this victory, GAM can be regarded as having transformed into the “VCS version of T1” with an unbeaten record throughout the Spring, similar to the LCK representatives. Unfortunately, due to national obligations, GAM will not be able to face off against the “undefeated champion” from Korea at the upcoming MSI 2022.
As for SGB, they also tried very hard, but GAM was simply too strong at this time. This defeat will be a valuable lesson for SGB in preparation for the upcoming MSI 2022. The competition will be fiercer, and undoubtedly, the “Young Buffaloes” must push themselves to 200% effort to achieve a miracle for the VCS region.
