?Source: Thai HoN Facebook
Yesterday Neolution eSports.MRR was able to spark up a winning streak in the playoffs against Brix and Orange eSports to move to the Grand Finals, but today their fortune ran out. Turtle Master from Thailand could not only win the regular season of G-League earlier this week, but now also add the real first G-League title to their resume.
It was the final match of an exciting first cycle of SEA HoN Tour in the G-League between Turtle Master and Neolution eSports.MRR earlier today. For the first time in a Grand Final those two teams squared off against each other, but only Turtle Master could walk out with a smile, the victory and the G-League championship for the first cycle.
Yesterday MRR proved to be clutch in big situations with their tournament life on the line against Orange eSports and Brix, today Turtle Master demonstrated why they marched through the regular season with only one tie and one loss in total. They got off to a rocky start in the first match, mainly because of their extremely passive drafting decision with two main carries - but after that the Turtles started rolling.
After the initial setback, the team around Hooky´Hooky altered their drafting style away from the passive way. The more aggressive way seemingly threw Neolution eSports.MRR off, seeing as they obliterated their opponents on the first map in just 30 minutes, now they had to concede twice in a row in a little bit over 30 minutes each.
Emotionally damaged, mentally exhausted and with their backs to the walls, MRR tried to get back in the game once again on the fourth map with a Swiftblade pick, but all they achieved was to make the match the most exciting of the series. The previous three maps all ended pretty one-sided one way or the other, the last and final match of the cycle actually provided tension and great fights.
At first it looked like Neolution actually can pull out all the stops and push this game into the fifth map, but a marvelous defensive stand by Turtle Master with the game on the line, leveled the playing field again and brought the Turtles a second wind. On that wind they rode further, carried by an out-of-control Dark Lady in the end.
With this victory Turtle Master do not only gain bragging rights over the entire SEA scene, the first title over G-League and a sizeable purse of about $3,000 USD, but they also win a huge chunk of valuable points for the rankings. In the end those ranking points will determine which teams are allowed to participate in the massive $150,000 USD international clash for the international HoN Tour title - TurS is right on schedule to be a part of that.
Roster of Turtle Master:
Hooky´Hooky LookLikeLeaf _GOD´HAND xSinez I´Ron`NunFor the Turtles this is the second success in a G-League cycle, after they were able to win in the old Thai HoN Tour in the May cycle. The team that emerged as a top tier team around the Garena Star League 2013 has always been a standout team in the regular season, but sometimes missed the mark once they reached the Grand Finals. Now it seems like they are in a good control of the entire region, although Neolution eSports.MRR and Orange eSports made them struggle in the regular season.
All teams that retained their G-League status and the four new arrivals in Made In Thailand.Sorry Sorry, KaiD, Dasreich.Corps Fabulous and Sawadeekap Gaming will go at it again starting September 17th, when the second cycle of G-League officially kicks off. Until then Turtle Master can enjoy their victory and the rest of the region can make sure to come prepared for the next chance.
| G-League Cycle 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Team | Ranking Points | Earnings |
| 1. | Turtle Master | 4,000 | ~ $ 3,100 USD |
| 2. | Neolution eSports.MRR | 2,500 | ~ $ 1,550 USD |
| 3. |  Orange eSports | 2,000 | ~ $ 930 USD |
| 4. | Brix | 1,500 | ~ $ 650 USD |
