Invictus Gaming close year with another title

Fresh off their World Championship victory, Invictus Gaming capped their remarkable 2018 campaign by capturing the Demacia Cup, overcoming Topsports Gaming in a hard-fought four-game series that tested their championship mettle.

Despite previous challenges in securing domestic LPL titles, IG demonstrated their growth by claiming this prestigious domestic trophy. Their path to the finals revealed significant character, having been unexpectedly defeated by TOP in the fourth round, forcing them through the grueling loser’s bracket. After dispatching Suning in a must-win elimination match, they earned their shot at redemption in the grand finals rematch.

The opening game saw IG initiate early aggression in the bottom lane, securing first blood. However, their early pressure couldn’t contain TOP’s rising star Bai “369” Jia-Hao, whose exceptional Jax performance showcased perfect scaling mechanics. The Chinese top laner’s dominant display, combined with superior team coordination and objective control, handed TOP the initial victory.

Recognizing 369 as TOP’s primary threat, IG adjusted their game two approach with increased top-lane attention. Lee “Duke” Ho-seong struggled against the coordinated pressure from multiple lanes, prompting IG to strategically shift their resources toward bottom lane dominance.

TOP appeared poised for victory after securing two Baron Nashor buffs and maintaining statistical advantages. The momentum shifted dramatically when IG’s carry Yu “JackeyLove” Wen-Bo delivered a series of perfectly positioned teamfight performances. His calculated aggression consistently caught TOP off-guard, securing the equalizing victory for IG.

IG maintained their newfound momentum in the third contest, showcasing improved teamfight execution. A decisive Baron capture at the 24-minute mark provided the buff needed to claim their second consecutive win.

Facing elimination, 369 returned to his signature Jax pick seeking to replicate his earlier success. While finding several favorable engagements, IG demonstrated exceptional rotational awareness to contain his impact. Duke and JackeyLove progressively dominated the match with crucial support from mid laner Song “Rookie” Eui-jin.

IG secured the critical Baron at 23 minutes and, following an intense sequence of teamfight exchanges, successfully demolished the enemy nexus to claim the Demacia Cup championship.

The series highlighted several critical player matchups that determined the outcome. 369’s early dominance on Jax demonstrated how individual lane superiority can dictate early game control. However, IG’s adaptation proved that coordinated teamplay ultimately triumphs over singular carry performances.

Common mistake: Over-committing resources to counter a single dominant player. Advanced teams like IG recognize when to pivot strategy rather than stubbornly focusing on neutralizing one threat. This flexibility separates championship-caliber squads from one-dimensional opponents.

This victory provides valuable insights into high-level competitive strategy. Teams studying this series should note how IG identified their win conditions mid-series and executed accordingly. The ability to adapt draft strategy and in-game focus between games demonstrates advanced tactical awareness that translates well to other competitive titles.

Both squads will renew their rivalry in the upcoming 2019 LPL Spring Split, commencing January 14th. This sets the stage for an intriguing narrative as both teams have now demonstrated they can defeat each other in high-stakes competition.

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