Silver Scrapes is TSM’s song of the month as their third Best-of-5 in as many weeks once again went all five games. In defeating the 100 Thieves, TSM manages to avoid the first Best-of-5 in the NA gauntlet for the 3rd seed at Worlds.
The back and forth set between the two teams seemed to revolve around which team could coordinate their mid-late game fights better. We saw initiative backfire seemingly as much as we saw it work. Both teams have proven all split that they’re more comfortable at counter-engaging fights rather than starting them — sometimes even to their detriment. But today, that played into their favor.
Game 1 was a close game until a big Baron fight ended up going horribly for TSM. After killing Aphromoo to force a 5v4, they then had Baron Smited away from them and then lost three members for it as well. The aggressive call opened the doors for 100, and it ensured Rikara would finish the day undefeated as he would be substituted out after the game to never return.
A surprise Vel’Koz pick (with Glacial Augment) from Bjergsen turned heads at first — especially as TSM found itself in a bit of a bind to open the game. It was also the only time Bjergsen didn’t play Zilean this split — this seemed to indicate they’ve either practiced a lot against C9 or are imitating the perceived best team in the league at the moment. TSM managed to bounce back thanks to a lot of intelligent fights — their positioning as a team consistently put 100 in compromising situations, and the Vel’Koz pick paid dividends as it dished out a ton of damage. Combined with a particularly off game from Aphromoo and TSM was able to pull the series back to even.
Since he’s joined the team, TSM fans have always grimaced and groaned whenever Bjergsen hasn’t been on a carry or an assassin. There’s a perception that the team doesn’t seem to win unless Bjergsen is given the tools to be proactive — this is coupled with them generally having troubles being proactive across the map. TSM has always been criticized for that, and having their best player on a supportive champion seemed to only encourage their worst tendencies.
Game 3 would go similarly to the first two games in that a single Baron would essentially end the game. A decisive call from 100 secured a Baron for them as TSM arrived too late and not in unison, which resulted in kills and the Baron buff for 100. Cody Sun’s first win since Quarterfinals must have lifted a lot of weight off of his shoulders, and it placed 100 firmly in the driver’s seat to close out the set.
TSM would not be disheartened, though. The veterans rallied and absolutely decimated 100 in the fourth match of the day. They lost only a single tower as they nearly perfect-gamed their opponents. This game highlighted the promise that so many fans expected from TSM when the season began — it was a single snapshot of a dream that was never fully realized this split. In forcing a decisive 5th game, whether they would need to play an extra Best-of-5 in the gauntlet or not would be placed entirely on a single game.
And it was not a game that would finish easily. Game 5 was the closest game of the day — it was a truly fitting end for a back and forth series. And it also showcased exactly why TSM was so adamant about the Zilean pick — Bjergsen played a nearly immaculate game to keep TSM in the game when 100 jumped out to an early lead, and then he was critical in keeping them in good positions in fights. Late game against Tristana, Gangplank, and Ryze is absolutely frightening — all three have the ability to solo carry a fight. Zilean’s ultimates needed to be perfect to even out the odds, and to Bjergsen’s credit, they were.
In the face of four 100 Dragons and a gold deficit, TSM still managed to win fights thanks to him, which let them secure Barons and Elder Drakes. The two teams traded jabs and jockeyed for position over and over — TSM never let 100 split push because Hauntzer’s Sion was constantly engaging. He danced in and out of the fights thanks to Zilean’s ultimates giving him two lives. The fights were decided by slivers of health, and in the decisive fight, TSM just barely pulled ahead. And through it all, Bjergsen somehow did not die a single time in the game. It was, to me, one of the best individual performances I’ve seen from a mid laner this split.
TSM will now look towards the gauntlet, where they’ll face the winner of Clutch Gaming vs. Echo Fox. It’ll be the first time TSM has to climb through the grueling event, but they’ll need to succeed if they want to avoid missing Worlds for the first time in their organization’s history. Meanwhile, 100 will look ahead and cheer for Team Liquid over Cloud9. If TL wins, 100 automatically advances to Worlds, but if C9 wins, then 100 will also head to the gauntlet. For now, though, TSM should be energized by the TSM chants from the crowd. And the 15 games of experience should give them plenty to reflect on as they try to evolve into a Worlds-worthy team.
