The final match day of the third week in the VCS Spring 2022 group stage took place with both GAM Esports and SBTC Esports in action. The VCS Winter 2021 runner-up faced a Luxury Esports team that was performing terribly. No one recognizes the once-feared LX from VCS Winter 2021, as they can no longer threaten any team, no matter how strong. Now, Killerqueen and his teammates are languishing at the bottom of both the VCS Spring 2022 standings and the SEA Games 31 qualifiers for League of Legends.
The results of the match truly reflected the current performance of the two teams in VCS Spring 2022. GAM had a relatively easy game 1 as they controlled most of the match time. Although LX had some moments of relief, Killerqueen and his teammates could no longer create any surprises to hope for a comeback. The failed Baron steal officially marked the end of LX’s efforts in the first game, with GAM taking the lead 1-0.
In game 2, LX surprisingly rallied, and both teams exchanged blows with many kills. LX secured their second Baron and a strong Dragon Soul, but GAM, with superior experience and composure, demonstrated why they are a team that has been in many of the top VCS finals in recent years. LX could not capitalize on their advantage and had to accept defeat as GAM convincingly took the win 2-0.
Another noteworthy match was the clash between Saigon Buffalo and the “Pink Chickens” SE – a team that has somewhat stalled after an unbeaten streak across all competitions, suffering a defeat to CERBERUS Esports. Given their performance and mentality taking a hit, facing SGB at this time could be seen as a tough matchup for SE, especially when they couldn’t even secure a win against CES without EGO; facing SGB with their strongest lineup, few believed SE would achieve a favorable result.
But a surprise happened in game 1, as 2T, Celebrity, and Spot had a great match. Not only did they defeat SGB, they completely obliterated the “Buffalo Herd”. In fact, SE even played with the disadvantage of having nPer heavily targeted. SE annihilated SGB in just over 23 minutes of play, shocking VCS fans, while supporters of SE began to envision a victory for the “Pink Chickens” after their humiliating defeat to CES.
But all that SE achieved was encapsulated in game 1. In game 2, the “Pink Chickens” returned to their true selves and of course, could not defeat SGB. The “Buffalo Herd” got better and better. SE’s efforts only lasted until SGB secured their first Baron in game 2 before they accepted to “take the beating” as SGB equalized and pushed the match to game 3. In the decisive match, it was all about two words: “annihilation”. SGB completed a comeback while SE reverted to the “circus” label with their perplexing plays, remaining stuck in 8th place.
At the end of the third week of matches, the standings of the teams generally did not see much change. GAM continues its unbeaten streak while SE is gradually being figured out after an impressive five-game unbeaten run. If they do not regain their form soon, the “Pink Chickens” SE may “lose everything,” missing out on a spot for SEA Games 31 and facing the risk of relegation.