[LCK Today] T1 struggles win against HLE, DRX maintain 1st place with win over GEN

On July 25th (KST), in the 2020 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Summer Split, Hanwha Life Esports played T1 and Gen.G played DRX.

The first blood came at the 18-minute mark in the first game between Hanwha Life Esports and T1. Since T1's composition was better in the late game, Hanwha Life Esports had to make a difference and snowball. In a dragon fight, Jeong "Mireu" Jo-bin's Galio penetrated through T1's formation and killed Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok's Zoe. While stepping back, T1 was able to burst Baron and benefit through the lead. However, in the following fight around in mid lane, Mireu's Galio led the fight for a massive victory. All that survived was Zoe. Through that single teamfight, Hanwha Life Esports was able to end the game.

Kim "Canna" Chang-dong picked Camille with Cleanse and collected another solo kill for the first blood in the second game. Canna later cleared that taking Cleanse was a mistake. Despite being solo killed, Lee "Dudu" Dong-ju's Renekton pressured Camille. Starting from the mid game, T1 started to step the pace up through Volibear and Pantheon, collecting kills through dives around the Rift. The game was tilting gradually towards T1's side when Hanwha Life Esports took won a fight around the fourth dragon. However, Canna's Camille and Moon "Cuzz" Woo-chan's Volibear prevented Hanwha Life Esports' champions to return to the base, and T1 hit back to destroy the Nexus.

Karthus’ Requiem was heard throughout the Rift in game 3. T1 jungler Moon “Cuzz” Woo-chan’s Karthus scaled quickly and well. As the only AP champion on T1’s composition, Karthus’ damage hit massively and Hanwha Life Esports didn’t stand a chance. Faker’s Sett also had a great moment, where he died but dribbled three enemy champions well for a big benefit. It wasn’t too long before T1 finished the game, preventing a full upset.

In the first game between DRX and Gen.G, the two teams filled the game full of highlights. The game seesawed back and forth in every fight and the two teams didn't try to avoid anhy fights when they had the chance to engage. The most important fight came at the 35-minute mark. The two teams clashed in front of the dragon pit where Gen.G collected two kills. It seemed that all Gen.G needed to do was clean up the remaining champions, but Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon's Galio pulled off an unbelievable Flash-Taunt combination, killing off the chasers. Meanwhile, Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon's Camille’s split push was already at the twin towers against Kim "Rascal" Kwang-hee's Ornn. Through that teamfight win, DRX took the first game.

DRX played aggressively again, but it was Kim "Clid" Tae-min's Sejuani who turned the game around. DRX successfully executed ganks and dives in mid and bot to push forward, while Gen.G kept close by strengthening their top lane. However, Clid's Sejuani stole two straight dragons and won the following teamfight. This forced DRX to prevent Gen.G from taking the Infernal Dragon's soul. While DRX was struggling with the dragon fight, Gen.G went with a strong split push from Camille and Twisted Fate. Although DRX won the dragon fight, they weren't quick enough to recall and stop Gen.G’s backdoor.

First blood went to DRX again in game 3, as Chovy’s Twisted Fate used Teleport to top lane and cut off Rascal’s Camille. Gen.G returned the favor right away as Camille visited mid lane. While DRX invested much in their top lane, Gen.G collected three dragons and had more options to choose from. However, DRX made the correct choices to win the teamfight and secure Baron. Everything came down to the 7th dragon of the game. Before any team went for the dragon, the two teams met at mid lane. After exchanging their mid laners, Doran's Kennen jumped in to use his ultimate which led to the teamfight win and their 11th win of the season.

2020 LCK Summer split July 25th Results

Hanwha Life Esports 1 : 2 T1

DRX 2 : 1 Gen.G

2020 LCK Summer Split Standings

1st DRX 11-1 (+15)

2nd DAMWON Gaming 9-2 (+16)

3rd Gen.G 9-3 (+12)

4th T1 7-4 (+5)

5th Afreeca Freecs 6-5 (+2)

6th kt Rolster 4-7 (-5)

7th Team Dynamics 4-7 (-6)

8th SANDBOX Gaming 4-7 (-7)