Manta Cup IV - XX - Manta Cup V3 Recap (English)
Manta Cup V3 Recap
The preparations for the third Manta Cup reflected the efforts to give the tournament a distinctive character while preparing the teams for the competition. Once again, there was a particular focus on creating recognition value between the teams, aiming to provide viewers with a familiar yet exciting experience.
The Scrim Rule, requiring teams to complete a specific number of scrims before the tournament, was expanded from 2 to 3. This step aimed to continue encouraging teams to get to know each other better before the tournament and elevate the level of competitive preparation.
Interestingly, this led to Black Manta playing the most scrims, specifically 19 with a total of 52 games, of which they won an impressive 15 matches. This demonstrated their determination and commitment to preparing optimally for the tournament.
The 15 teams participating in the third Manta Cup represented a mix of familiar faces, teams under new names, and new teams. Alongside the tournament host Black Manta, there were three recurring teams (Snek Pack, Make Inting Great, and Extraordinarii), three teams with new names (Dortmund Esports, Piltover Penguins, and Wacky Wraiths), two teams from the SLE (Good Chi Gaming and Curtain Call Gaming), and six new teams from the German-speaking region (Witch Monkeys, MAN!AC buff Weakside, Actual Rappers, Iotopia, UBTenacity, and Hublibubs).
With this diverse lineup, the participant field promised intense competition and a mix of established and emerging teams vying for the coveted Manta Cup.
In the highly competitive Group 1 of the third Manta Cup, the four veteran teams, Dortmund Esports, Make Inting Great, Snek Pack, and Extraordinarii, along with the fresh winner of the SLE, Good Chi Gaming, faced off. The games in this group proved to be fiercely contested from the start, promising pure excitement.
Especially Good Chi Gaming, the newly crowned SLE champion, and Snek Pack made it clear that they were among the strongest teams in the group. Both teams confidently marched through their matches, standing with impressive 3-0 records in the final showdown for the top spot. The decisive encounter narrowly favored Good Chi Gaming, securing them the group victory.
Make Inting Great exited the group stage without a single win, while Extraordinarii, although eliminated, managed to secure one victory, against Make Inting Great.
Following the tournament format, the top two teams automatically qualified for the quarterfinals, while the three third-placed teams had to compete in a play-off group for the last two spots.
Dortmund Esports claimed the third spot in Group 1, bidding farewell to direct advancement to the quarterfinals.
In Group 2, it initially seemed evident which three teams would advance to the quarterfinals or play-offs. The teams MAN!AC buff Weakside, successors to the reigning champions The Skumbags, Witch Monkeys (a team from the German Monkeys), and the Actual Rappers, who joined just one day before the tournament, hinted at a promising performance. The Piltover Penguins and Iotopia completed the participant list in this group.
However, the dynamics of the group took an unexpected turn. In the second round on Friday at 8 PM, the jungler of the Actual Rappers unexpectedly dropped out, leading to the forfeiture of the game against the Piltover Penguins. This turned out to be a turning point for the Actual Rappers, who also lost to MAN!AC buff Weakside and the Witch Monkeys, thereby exiting the tournament.
The Piltover Penguins secured a spot in the play-offs with a victory over the Actual Rappers. The Witch Monkeys won the crucial match against MAN!AC buff Weakside, securing the top spot in the group.
Group 3
In Group 3, Black Manta, the Wacky Wraiths, Curtain Call Gaming (CCG), Hublibubs, and UBTenacity faced each other. The opening game, taking place an hour before the other initial matches, ended with a victory for UBTenacity against Black Manta. One player stood out, particularly Weakside Wizard, the midlaner for Tenacity.
At the end of the group stage, UBTenacity topped the table with 3 points. Placing 2nd to 4th were Black Manta, the Wacky Wraiths, and CCG. Black Manta secured the second spot by winning the direct matches against CCG and WW. CCG took the third position, meaning that the Wacky Wraiths were eliminated from the tournament. This was particularly bitter as they had the victory against CCG within their grasp but lost the duel through a backdoor.
The Hublibubs finished in the last place in the group, managing only one victory against Black Manta.
In the playoffs, the three third-placed teams, Piltover Penguins, Dortmund Esports, and Curtain Call Gaming (CCG), faced each other.
First, Dortmund Esports played against CCG, a game they were able to win.
Subsequently, the Piltover Penguins played against CCG, but this game was also lost by CCG.
Witch Monkeys 2-0 Piltover Penguins
The Witch Monkeys once again displayed a dominant performance and looked like the clear favorites. The Piltover Penguins fought hard but couldn't do much against the superior team.
Snek Pack 0-2 MAN!AC buff Weakside
Snek Pack had no answer against MAN!AC buff Weakside, surprising many. The Maniacs secured a relatively clear victory to advance to the quarterfinals.
Good Chi Gaming 2-0 Dortmund E-Sports
Dortmund E-Sports had to face Good Chi again. The games were incredibly close, and both times it looked like Dortmund would win. However, the team crumbled in the late game, allowing Good Chi to advance to the semifinals.
Due to the special 3-group format, Black Manta faced UBTenacity once again. The series was full of intense showdowns and ended with a close 2-1 victory for UBTenacity, once again thanks to the strong performance of Weakside Wizard.
MAN!AC buff Weakside vs Witch Monkeys
The previously undefeated Witch Monkeys faced MAN!AC buff Weakside again. However, Game 1 turned out to be a disaster for the Monkeys. The fastest semifinal game in Manta Cup history ended in a clear victory for MAN!AC after only 25 minutes. In particular, the jungler and eventual Cup MVP Bygone Days impressed with his performance on Kindred.
Game 2 followed a similar pattern, and once again, the Monkeys had no chance. Bygone Days dominated once more, concluding the series with an impressive KDA of 17/1/16.
UBTenacity vs Good Chi Gaming
Good Chi was considered by many as the tournament favorite and remained undefeated until this point. UBTenacity, on the other hand, was seen as a significant underdog in the semifinals.
However, in the first game, things took a different turn. In a relatively calm match in terms of kills, it ended with a dominant victory for UBTenacity. Weakside Wizard, especially, impressed with his Renekton in the mid lane.
In the second game, Good Chi fought back. In a close 50-minute match, Kaptenen and Sovonix made the difference in the end.
Game 3 started evenly but quickly tilted in favor of UBTenacity. This time, ADC Ictis, with his Varus, played a crucial role in deciding the game.
In the match for third place, Good Chi Gaming faced the Witch Monkeys.
Game 1 was a decisive victory for Good Chi Gaming after Kaptenen was replaced by Itchighoti on the top lane, who dominated with K'Sante.
Game 2 unfolded more interestingly. A 12,000 gold lead for the Monkeys hinted at a decisive third game. However, Good Chi fought back and won the series 2-0.
In the finals between MAN!AC buff Weakside and UBTenacity, MAN!AC was considered a significant favorite.
However, in Game 1, Weakside Wizard delivered an outstanding performance on Gangplank, securing a victory for UBT.
Game 2, a match where 14 kills occurred in 30 minutes, was decided by a backdoor play from DR Inrgood on Kayle.
Game 3 played out as expected, with MAN!AC winning dominantly once again, especially Appaxia on Ashe standing out in Game 3. Match point.
Game 4 was the final match, and this time it was Garvey, who won the game for MAN!AC on Syndra. Support Varwen on Nami should also be mentioned.
After the tournament, some Manta Cup teams decided to participate in the next SLE season. Black Manta, Good Chi Gaming, and CCG were already part of it. Joining them were the Wacky Wraiths, Snek Pack, and the Hublibubs. Additionally, Sanctuary, a community formed by Snek Pack and Black Manta, was established. MAN!AC's players received medals.
The MVP awards were distributed as follows:
- Turnier MVP: Bygone Days (MAN!AC buff Weakside)
- Community MVP: Weakside Wizard (UBTenacity)
- Toplane MVP: Kaptenen (Good Chi Gaming)
- Jungle MVP: Bygone Days (MAN!AC buff Weakside)
- Midlane MVP: Weakside Wizard (UBTenacity)
- Botlane MVP: MWS Appaxia (MAN!AC buff Weakside)
- Support MVP: MWS Varwen (MAN!AC buff Weakside)
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