Cover-Credits:
The i-League 2021 playoffs have begun with Team Aster defeating the WePlay AniMajor champions, PSG.LGD. The series took place during the first round of the upper bracket, where Aster ended up winning 2-1. PSG.LGD experimented with a few heroes whereas Aster largely adhered to the meta, giving it an edge in the draft. As a result of this series, PSG.LGD falls to the lower bracket of the i-League 2021 playoffs, while Aster advances to the upper bracket finals where they will face the winner of Vici Gaming vs Invictus Gaming.
Team Aster vs PSG.LGD: Match Recap and Highlights
Recap
In Game One, Aster came out ahead in the early phase thanks to some favorable laning matchups. However, PSG.LGD excellently halted the game to prevent the enemies from taking anything significant. They then outperformed Aster in teamfights, enabling themselves to take the game back in their favor. PSG.LGD won the game in 63 minutes with some great map maneuvers.
In Game Two, Aster had the inherent advantage of a superior draft. In addition, they played perfectly in order to secure goals one by one. PSG.LGD played a support Spirit Breaker - an unpicked hero throughout the TI10 regional qualifier. The hero didn't accomplish much in this game. In 34 minutes, Aster secured an easy victory.
Game Three was another outdraft by Aster as they heavily countered PSG.LGD’s heroes. Faith_bian was in the offlane on his signature Visage, but the hero, who is very far out of meta, did not offer much. Aster played cautiously but made sure they expanded their lead. PSG.LGD never really found a favorable teamfight so they tapped out in 31 minutes.
Highlights
Here are some highlights of the series.
In addition to looking off in their drafts, PSG.LGD also looked a little rusty in their gameplay. On the other hand, Aster drafted in-meta heroes and executed their strategies textbook-style, which made them the better team in the second and the third game.
Vici Gaming and Invictus Gaming will face off in the next upper bracket round one series. In the lower bracket, PSG.LGD will face EHOME, while Royal Never Give Up will face the loser of Vici vs. Invictus Gaming.
The i-League 2021 group stage took place in April and May 2021. Elephant and Team MagMa were eliminated in the group stage while the remaining six teams advanced to the playoffs. At that time, the playoffs were not held, but they have now been resumed.
