Griffin concluded their first half of the LCK Summer Split earlier today with a 2-1 victory over Gen.G.
The only team Griffin had yet to play this split thus far, Gen.G stood as the young team’s final challenge. While a win today for Gen.G would provide them bragging rights as the only team other than KT Rolster to beat Griffin, for Griffin this match was a chance to finally take down the current world champions.
Although Griffin and Gen.G weren’t afraid to fight, game one’s first few teamfights bore fruitless for either team. By 30 minutes both teams were tied in gold, with Gen.G in possession of every Elemental Drake.
Griffin eventually broke the stalemate the best way they knew how—through late game teamfights. Able to barely edge out Gen.G in a teamfight by the Drake pit and kill jungler Kang “Haru” Min-seung, Griffin had the opening to take the Baron. And with the buff on hand, Griffin had enough firepower to push their way to a game one victory.
Down one game, Gen.G brought in their veteran duo of jungler Kang “Ambition” Chan-yong, and mid laner Lee “Crown” Min-ho. In response to Ambition and Crown’s appearance, Griffin drafted an odd composition which lacked a clear focus. With Kennen top lane, Zac jungle, and the bot lane combo of Morgana and Shen, it was unclear if Griffin wanted to teamfight or let the Kennen split push for the game.
Gen.G abused Griffin’s weird team composition early with AD carry Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk’s Kog’Maw. Ruler tore through Griffin’s turrets while the rest of Gen.G dominated their lane counterparts. Although Griffin managed to ace Gen.G, Baron hadn’t spawned at that point meaning that Griffin couldn’t further snowball their teamfight win. Once Gen.G’s players respawned though, they quickly corrected their mistake, and ended the game to tie up the series.
Game three saw Griffin commit to a pick composition with Zac jungle and Zoe mid, a move which yielded wonderful results. Able to find a few early picks with Zac’s elastic slingshot, Griffin earned an early lead. And unlike game two, Griffin snowballed this advantage into even more kills. In a matter of three minutes, Griffin extended their kill lead by nine. Gen.G was helpless to Griffin’s onslaught, which didn’t stop until Gen.G’s nexus was destroyed.
With their first round of the LCK Summer Split now concluded, Griffin will prepare for their rematch against Afreeca Freecs on July 17.
