Gen.G blew through KINGZONE DragonX in two quick game wins earlier today, in a victory which moved the world champions to second place in the LCK standings.
Following Korea’s loss at Rift Rivals earlier this month, KINGZONE fell into a slump. KINGZONE’s macro play started to crack, with jungler Han “Peanut” Wang-ho beginning to underperform. KINGZONE’s issues culminated with their loss to ninth-place team Jin Air Green Wings four days ago.
Against Gen.G today though, KINGZONE had a chance to pull themselves out of this slump with a win versus a top three team in the league. Sadly for KINGZONE fans, the team were unable to find such a win versus Gen.G.
Both Gen.G and KINGZONE played game one quite passively, with neither team willing to commit to a teamfight. Instead Gen.G farmed, while KINGZONE jungler Moon “Cuzz” Woo-chan tried to secure his marks scattered around the map as Kindred. Since both teams’ compositions scaled relatively similarly, neither KINGZONE nor Gen.G looked to have an edge.
Finally, 24 minutes into the game, KINGZONE initiated a teamfight under Gen.G’s tower in an attempt to break their stalemate. KINGZONE exhausted their major ultimates way too early into the fight though, and were defenseless to Gen.G’s counter-engage. What started as KINGZONE’s attempt to gain a lead, ended with three kills, the baron, and later a nexus for Gen.G.
Peanut back on the starting roster for game two, KINGZONE seemed like they were making a comeback. Peanut found an early double kill as Kindred, which gave KINGZONE a decent lead. KINGZONE used this lead to take four Elemental Drakes, as well as all three of Gen.G’s outer turrets, but that was it.
Aside from those objectives, Gen.G defended the rest of their towers. KINGZONE were unable to penetrate through Gen.G’s defences, and thus allowed the game to extend much longer. This was all according to Gen.G’s plan, as they had the better scaling composition.
Once Gen.G’s champions reached the 30-minute mark, the match was over. Despite their initial lead and four Drakes, KINGZONE could not beat Gen.G in a straight teamfight, although they tried and failed. In the span of five minutes Gen.G went from being behind in gold to winning game two, thanks to a bad engage by KINGZONE around the Baron pit.
Now in second place in the standings, Gen.G will prepare for their match against Afreeca Freecs on July 22.
