FlyQuest is still soaring.
The halfway point of the LCS Spring Split is finally here and with it, plenty of talking points ahead of the second half of the group stage. The LCS has also completed its first super week in the group stage, which saw every team play an extra round of matches.
With the race to the playoffs and top-four spots heating up, we take a look at some of the teams that have been exceeding all expectations alongside some others that have so much hype yet very little end product to show for it. This includes FlyQuest who have been almost unstoppable during the first half of the split.
Flying High
At no point at the beginning of the season did anyone expect FlyQuest to be at the top of the table. And despite all that, they have deservedly risen to the challenge and have taken to it with aplomb. The team lost just one game in nine matches, which came against TSM just a few days ago.
But before that, they were on a 7-0 run that included teams like Evil Geniuses, Team Liquid, 100 Thieves, and Cloud9, all championship-calibre material that was put away by FlyQuest. Of course, the real test of mettle and mentality comes now as they will have to face all these teams one more time to cement their top-four standing.
The Boys in Blue
After nine games, both Evil Geniuses and Cloud9 are tied for second with a 7-2 score. EG has the advantage in the head-to-head match-up, having beaten C9 in week three's best-of-one thriller. Both teams will be out to see who can get on up on the other in the rematch, which will take place on March 10 at 8.00 am UTC+8 in about two weeks from now.
EG have looked fairly consistent over the past few weeks, going on a 4-0 run after losing two of their first five games. Their current winning run started with their win over C9, who went through two tough losses in the space of a week, with the other coming against the current table toppers.
Tight Middle Pack
With the top three teams currently being FlyQuest, EG, and C9, there are only three other slots up for grabs in the playoffs. Both Golden Guardians and TSM hold the fourth and fifth seed with the same 5-4 score whilst Counter-Logic Gaming is currently in sixth and 100 Thieves in seventh, even after sharing a 4-5 score.
And after going 0-4 in the first two weeks, GG has since gone on a five-game winning streak with three of those victories coming against other mid-table contenders like CLG, 100T, and TSM. And despite losing to GG, TSM has also been fairly stable thus far, being the only team to inflict damage on FlyQuest.
But the closest race would have to be between 100 Thieves and Counter-Logic Gaming. The storyline paints itself with Yiliang "Doublelift" Peng potentially knocking out the team he started his professional career with. Of course, it's easier said than done as the star-studded squad has failed to impress as of late.
Lethargic Team Liquid
As it stands, Team Liquid could very well miss out on a playoff spot if their performances continue at this rate. Despite bringing in world-class talent like the 2022 world champion jungler from DRX, Hong "Pyosik" Chang-hyeon alongside an LCK, LPL, and LCS veteran Park "Summit" Woo-tae and two young talents, you'd think the team would be able to contend for at least the top six.
Unfortunately, it hasn't quite worked out for the team with only three wins on the board, one of which came against Golden Guardians and the bottom two teams of the LCS Spring Split, Immortals and Dignitas. And things won't get any easier in the second half as they will have to try to get onto a winning run to keep their tournament hopes alive.
The second half of the LCS Spring Split starts in just a few days with all 10 teams in action this coming Friday and Saturday. Be sure to catch all the action on the official LCS Twitch channel.
