The Manila Major: Day 5 Recap

Day 5 of the Manila Major began with a lower bracket match between LGD Gaming (LGD) and MVP Phoenix (MVP), where the Chinese dark horse eliminated the Korean powerhouse after a 2-1 victory. The series was followed by the upper bracket final, where OG defeated Newbee 2-1 to advance into the Grand Finals. A seemingly unstoppable Team Liquid (Liquid)  however, eliminated LGD in a 2-0 sweep in the last series of the day.

Game 1 between LGD and MVP saw Sun “Agressif” Zheng dominating with Lycan in a 32-minute stomp, but MVP retaliated in Game 2 by shutting down Agressif on Anti-Mage and out-performing LGD during teamfights to force a deciding Game 3. LGD dominated from the laning phase onward during Game 3, and while MVP won a few teamfights in the midgame, a much more disciplined LGD ultimately prevailed.

MVP.Phoenix finished in a joint 5^th/6^th place with their fellow Southeast Asian squad Fnatic, while LGD moved on to face Team Liquid later in the day.

One of the most hyped-up matches of the tournament so far saw the Frankfurt Major champions OG taking on the top Chinese team Newbee for a slot in the Grand Finals.

In Game 1, Newbee’s superstar carry-support duo of Chen “Hao” Zihao and Wong Hock “Chuan” Chuan on Lifestealer and Lion dominated OG in a 28-minute stomp. OG bounced back in Game 2 off the back of its famed 9K MMR player Amer “Miracle” Barqawi on Templar Assassin making space for Johan “Notail” Sundstein to take over the game with Naga Siren. In Game 3, OG flexed its muscles as they dominated Newbee from the get go.

Despite a monstrous Alchemist by Zhang “Mu” Pan leading the net worth chart throughout the game, OG’s supporting cast of Tal “Fly” Aizik on Crystal Maiden and Andreas “Cr1t” Nielsen on Elder Titan, along with Miracle on his signature Invoker, eventually overwhelmed the defenses of the Chinese powerhouse.

The last series of the day saw Team Liquid eliminate LGD in a 2-0 sweep, continuing the tournament favorite’s flawless run in the lower bracket. In Game 1, Liquid countered LGD’s Batrider pick with an Oracle for Jesse ‘JerAx’ Vainikka, allowing Lasse “Matumbaman” Urpalainen on Lifestealer and Ivan “MinD_ContRoL” Borislavov on Slardar to tear the opposition to shreds. Game 2 saw LGD pull out a surprise Terrorblade pick for Agressif, along with a Timbersaw for Lu “Maybe” Yao. LGD initially pulled ahead with early pushes and a few won teamfights but Liquid took the advantage thanks to an Ultra Kill by JerAx on Disruptor and phenomenal ravages by MinD_ContRoL on Tidehunter. Eventually, a six-slotted, Aghanim’s-dispensing Alchemist by Adrian “FATA-” Trinks allowed Liquid to close out the game.

LGD finishes in 4^th place while Liquid moves on to face Newbee in order to decide who will face OG in the Grand Finals.

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