Invictus Gaming spoiled I May's return to the League of Legends Pro League on Sunday with a hard-fought 2-1 series win to close out Week 1, Day 4 in Shanghai.
I May (0-1, 1-2 match record) had a strong start to Game 1 as its siege/splitpushing composition secured first blood in a 2-for-0 fight at 12 minutes. Despite the strong start, Invictus Gaming (1-1, 3-3 match record) brought the game to a mid-game lull through good rotations across the map. IG had hung its hat on top laner Lee "Duke" Ho-seong's Fiora but once IM top laner Shek "AmazingJ" Wai Ho's Camille got sufficiently ahead, it seemed like IG was completely out of options. Taking advantage of three Mountain Drakes, IM easily took two Barons in the late game to allow its composition to fully come online and pick apart IG. Leading the charge was AmazingJ who finished with an 8/2/7 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) to help secure the 37-minute Game 1 win.
Invictus Gaming took a "Protect the Kog'Maw" composition into I May's second iteration of the siege/splitpushing playstyle, but this time IG took an early lead. While IM did well to prevent IG from running away with the match, limiting IG's gold lead to under 2,000 gold through the mid game, IG couldn't be held down. IG took a very well played 4-for-0 in the mid lane that led to a 20-minute Baron buff, leaving IM defenseless to watch as IG cut through its defenses. Surging with the Baron buff, IG took another 4-for-0 in IM's base, securing the Game 2 win in under 25 minutes.
Both teams changed strategies heading into Game 3, with I May opting for a pick composition while Invictus settled on a strong teamfighting composition. While IM took the first blood, strong play from the side of IG gave it a 5-for-2 ace at 17 minutes to even things up. IG eventually took control thanks to Rookie's Vladimir, who pumped out tons of damage in the mid-late game teamfights. Slowly falling behind as the game went on, IM attempted a desperation Baron at 34 minutes only for IG to come up with a major punish. Using the Baron buff, IG took one final 3-for-1 teamfight in IM's base, giving Rookie the finishing touches on his 8/3/13 KDA for 100 percent kill participation as it closed out the 2-1 series win.
I May next takes to the Rift to take on EDward Gaming on Thursday at 8 a.m. ET, while Invictus Gaming take on EDward Gaming on Saturday at 5 a.m ET.