The VCS Winter 2021 is down to its final match. The two contenders for the championship, as expected by the audience, are GAM Esports and CERBERUS Esports. Throughout their journey to the finals, both teams have shown remarkable consistency and talent that surpasses the rest. Among them, CES seems to hold an edge over the defending champions of VCS Spring 2021 as they boast an unbeaten streak of 13 matches in the group stage, defeating the strong opponent Luxury Esports in the semifinals. In fact, GAM has been defeated by CES twice during the recent group stage.
However, it is still too early to say that CES will definitely win when they meet GAM in the finals. In the semifinals, CES faced quite a few challenges against a resilient LX team featuring several players capable of making big plays like Killerqueen and Coated. Notably, “The God Dog” also had a bit of “luck” as in the first two games, LX did not ban the “favorite” champion Viktor of Yado, even though this champion is currently regarded as a very strong choice in the meta and very few champions can effectively counter it.
Meanwhile, GAM has surely learned valuable lessons after their defeat against CES in the return match of the VCS Winter 2021 group stage. The yellow-black team possesses a roster that is even stronger and more balanced than LX. Players like Kiaya and Levi certainly have a high potential for making impactful plays that Pun and EGO will have to be wary of. Not to mention, the champion pool of GAM’s players is quite extensive, and the experience gained from their two losses will help them better understand each weakness of CES to exploit.
At this point, the overall quality of the roster, as well as each individual player from GAM and CES, can be considered quite even. If Kiaya excels with a “top lane carry” playstyle, Pun specializes in tank champions with good defensive capabilities, Levi will have to face the player known as “SofM’s disciple” and his personal nemesis – EGO. In the VCS Winter 2021 group stage or the Summer 2020 season, Levi likely still remembers how EGO made things difficult for him.
Moreover, both CES and GAM are equipped with quality “firepower” in the bot lane, with Artemis (CES) and Sty1e/Divkid (GAM). However, we must not forget the duel between “Mr. High” Kati and Yado with their favorite champion Viktor. This mid lane duo can completely dictate the match on a day when they are in top form. Or even Bie, who has just been voted MVP of the playoffs, or RonOP could change the course of the match with a moment of brilliance.
With the quality of each position being equal in both talent and performance, the GAM vs CES match is likely to be decided by a “godly” moment from the current top stars and most talented players in the VCS.