Griffin’s match record grew to nine wins after a controlled 2-0 victory against Hanwha Life Esports.
The LCK’s first place team suffered their second loss of the season against Afreeca freecs earlier this week. Eager to make a comeback, Griffin were given a chance today against the first team they defeated in their debut LCK season—Hanwha.
Griffin abandoned the gold funneling strategy which cost them their match versus Afreeca, and returned to more traditional compositions tonight. And with these conventional drafts, Griffin’s play regained its dominating characteristic which helped them reach the LCK’s peak.
Griffin support Son “Lehends” Si-woo had yet another phenomenal performance this series, playing both the Morgana and Shen. With 100 percent kill participation in game one, and 66 percent in the second game, Lehends played a vital role in Griffin’s initial kills and engages. Griffin were able to secure first blood in both games this series thanks to Lehends landing key skill shots during the laning phase.
Although he didn’t earn an MVP award this series, Griffin top laner Choi “Sword” Sung-won had a standout performance in game one as Dr. Mundo. Thanks to Griffin’s early lead, Sword could farm all he wanted, and thus become an unkillable goliath. Sword fearlessly dove multiple members of Hanwha under turret. And although Sword found no kills from his dive, he left the situation with his life and multiple summoner spells blown by his opponents.
Hanwha tried to be play proactively after their game one loss, and attempted a five man dive under Griffin’s top lane turret. This turned out to be a fatal error for Hanwha, as Griffin easily turned around their engage four-versus-five. Griffin not only controlled the top side after Hanwha’s botched dive, but the bottom lane too since Griffin AD carry Park “Viper” Do-hyeon stayed bot side free farming during the top lane teamfight.
With Hanwha out of the way, Griffin will now prepare for their match against KT Rolster on July 21.
