The VCS Winter 2021 finals took place between the two strongest candidates for the championship: GAM Esports and CERBERUS Esports. CES was on the brink of making history for themselves and this team was rated higher than GAM after two consecutive victories against the reigning VCS Spring champions in the group stage. As for GAM, they entered the final match as the underdogs compared to “The Hound” but still had the potential to create surprises with a balanced roster across all lanes.
GAM had a very favorable start to the BO5 series even though they allowed Yado to get his “signature” champion Viktor. Although they didn’t particularly stand out in terms of game control or kills, Corki, Talon, and Jax in the hands of GAM’s key players were too strong in the late game. Notably, Levi even had a Baron steal right in front of the entire CES team. GAM took the lead just over 29 minutes into the match.
In game 2, Levi picked a rather unusual champion, Karthus. While this is a champion he has used many times, Karthus clearly cannot compare in terms of mobility and objective stealing to EGO’s Lee Sin. Not to mention, Pun had his signature champion Ornn and Yado continued to play Viktor. GAM allowed CES to equalize 1-1.
In game 3, GAM once again took the lead, but this can be seen as a remarkable effort from GAM’s players, especially Support Bie. Rell in Bie’s hands had an exceptional performance with stunning Wombo Combos. GAM regained control of the game and led 2-1 after 3 matches.
CES continued to demonstrate their incredible resilience in this Winter 2021 in game 4. Notably, the effectiveness of Tahm Kench in Pun’s hands helped CES dominate in both pushing lanes and team fights. CES’s “tank” even charged forward, leaving GAM’s damage dealers unable to do anything but retreat. CES once again brought the match back to square one.
In game 5, both teams maintained a tug-of-war from the laning phase to the mid-game. But CES’s proactive attack officially took away all of GAM’s advantages. Although later GAM also secured their second Baron, they could not prevent CES from gaining strength. The team fight at the 33rd minute saw Divkid go down far too early. CES pushed straight down the mid lane and ended the match with a 3-2 victory.
With the victory over GAM, CES officially claimed their first championship in a VCS tournament since the team’s establishment. With their outstanding performance in this VCS Winter 2021, this victory is completely deserved for “The Hound”.
As for GAM, they officially became the former champions after the defeat to CES. Notably, this is the third consecutive loss for the yellow-black team when facing “The Hound”. GAM’s players performed well but could not stop a highly performing CES. GAM will have much work to do before heading into the upcoming Spring 2022.