[crAzerk]

SEACC Grand Finals written by crAzerk
all images by the talented deL

The culmination of over eight weeks of hard work is finally upon us. After 5 rounds of intense competition, which saw both numerous upsets and expected victories, only two teams are left: Australian pro-gaming team Xeria Gaming and the formidable Team Infinity .

The finals will be played on Thursday, 22nd March, 6.30PM / 9.30PM / 11.30PM , in the exciting but unforgiving SEACC format of GSTL All-Kill Best-of-7 casted by none other than Maynarde and Zepph! Be sure to tune in to support your favourite team!

+ [Read More] +

Team Infinity's obvious strength is in their three strong Zergs - They have the Norwegian inF , who is well-respected as a solid Zerg player and all-killed 'ToT All SB' two rounds ago; there's the Singapore prodigy iceiceice who dominates in whatever game he plays; and of course team captain Revenant , a regular high-performer who demonstrated his ability in his 4-0 sweep of Terror Australis in the semi-finals. Infinity is clearly not one-dimensional as they have the likes of Roz and Jokes as well, with the latter getting the job done against the formidable SPR Team 2 in the Ro8. Infinity will likely be counting on their Zergs to power them through, with the solid backing of their Protoss/Terran counterparts.

Interview with Revenant
"I think inFi's biggest challenge would be to get TargA's Internet working."

+ [Read More] +

As compared to other teams, inFi has had the easiest path to the finals in the SEACC, with last week's TA being the only Tier 1 you have faced (which you handily all-killed, well done! ). Now, you are faced with the Australian powerhouse Xeria Gaming - what do you think is inFi's biggest challenge?

I think inFi's biggest challenge would be to get TargA's Internet working so that we have a decent lineup to compete against xGKing.

But honestly though, I think every player of xGKing is a formidable opponent that has a chance of all-killing us. I'm quite sceptical about our chances of winning unless we have everyone playing in the best condition(TargA getting his Internet, Roz not working overtime, iceiceice being out of camp and in the right mood, etc)

Xeria Gaming has a formidable lineup, boasting some of SEA's top players. Who do you think will be the biggest threat to inFi and why?

I think the biggest threat to inFi would be Mafia because by far he has one of the highest commitment levels, and I'm quite positive that he has the highest games played across all seasons. That in itself, along with his capabilities, will make him hard to take down.

Then again, I'd also like to reiterate that every player of xGKing is of the highest calibre in SEA, so it'll be no easy feat to beat them.

If inFi won the series and takes home the $200 prize, how would you celebrate with it?

Honestly speaking, I haven't thought of getting part of that prize money, since it's a rather small sum if divided across all players. I'd probably scream at the top of my lungs though!(I shouted rather loudly after managing to win TA)

Final words for Xeria Gaming before your game?
Jazbas! STAND DOWN FOR YOUR CLAN!
Mafia, go easy on us or we may have to call the cops.
Light, your favourite unit's coming your way

What SC2SEA members say about inFi

+ Show +

TAminimat : "inFi gonna crush"

Maynarde:" I think inFi with an outside chance if TargA and iceiceice play"

raycey: "Rev will win!"

Eddie:" Many awesome players in both teams, but I'll prob root for inFi, clan > pro team, good underdog story!"

VB_Potthead:"xG are probably favourites to win this after taking out SPR, but inFi won't be a pushover!"

Zepph:" I'm so pumped to cast this series! It's going to be a close one, more than what people think!"

Infinity's Path to the Finals

+ Show +

Ro32

+ Show +

inFi > iRL: Team 'I love Binu"
infirevenant > iRLProAnnn
infirevenant < Lizerg
infiJokes > Lizerg
infiJokes > iRLDrake
infiJokes > GGBinu
Final Score: 4-1

Ro16

+ Show +

inFi > ToT "all SB"
inFiTargA > iprotoss adybToT
inFiTargA > izerg XrayToT
inFiTargA > iprotoss oGrNsCo
inFiTargA > iterran SmirkToT
Final Score: inFi wins 4-0

Ro8

+ Show +

SPR Team 2 < inFi
SatuSPR>FlashRevz
SatuSPR<inFiTargA
LucienSPR>inFiTargA
LucienSPR<inFiJokes
tbkSPR<inFiJokes
KJHSPR<inFiJokes
inFi wins 4-2

Semi-Finals

+ Show +

Recap here.
Revenant > TAVoices
Revenant > TAyang
Revenant > TAEdge
Revenant > NvRossi
Final Score: inFi wins 4-0!

______

Xeria Gaming boasts a deep and solid lineup : They have Myuu , pokerface and Jazbaz , fearsome Zerg players with consistently good showings in SEA tournaments; there's the bearded warrior Iaguz , one of the best Terrans that SEA has to offer; their Protoss stalwarts Bielsko and Light provide another arsenal of options; and last but not least, their ace Mafia , who seems to thrive under pressure and has not dropped a single game this whole tournament. It seems like Xeria Gaming do not just have strength - they have options.

Interview with Benji
"The only advantage knowing my players styles gives is that you know how screwed you are when you enter a game against one of them."

+ [Read More] +

Xeria Gaming has had some amazing moments in the SEACC with the likes of Pokerface going on a 9 game win streak and Mafia closing out the series every time it matters (Like last week with his clutch double win to close out the series 4-3 against SPR, and blocking nRv's Havoc in the Ace match some time back)
However, inFi has shown that they are no pushovers as well, with the likes of the talented iceiceice, and Revenant (who just all-killed TA last week and seems to be in searing form).
What/who do you think could be Xeria Gaming's downfall in this series?

Because our line-up is so deep, I don't feel we have too many weak points. Look at the SEACL player rankings and you won't see any of our players at the top despite us performing quite well. That is because we don't rely on particular players to carry us, when one of our players plays poorly and loses a series, our teammates are not only there to support him, but to carry the team through the clan war. I try and give all my players a turn, I think Myuu is the only one to not get to be played several times in SEACL/CC and that is due to his inability to make game times due to school commitments.

If I had to pick a vital player however, it has to be Mafia. He's simply one of the best Aces in SEA and has a ton of experience playing in clutch tournament winning games. He has aced for us since TCL4 and whilst I don't have the exact number, I think his win % for Ace matches is around 70% or so (or at least it feels like it).

Xeria Gaming has some of the most well-known players on SEA - and precisely because they are the most well-known, their opponents may be familiar with their styles and be well-prepared for this. One way to respond is to just stick to what they're strong with and hope their adaptability and skill will carry them through - another is to pull something radical and unexpected to surprise their opponents. What is your take on this?

Everyone knows the Players styles, yet they still struggle to defeat them. My players don't use gimmicks, they play solid macro styles, and can vary it up with some random cheese when required. The only advantage knowing my players styles gives is that you know how screwed you are when you enter a game against one of them.

"So come right up and let me squash your creativity with my iron fist of conservative play." -Nony

Which players on the other team are you worried about?
With 3 zergs, its easier for my players to simply practice the one matchup for the finals, which is why Roz scares me, our XvP is something quite a few of my team are shakey in, and if Roz is in form he could get a few kills. I know Rev is good, and last weeks allkill kind of worries me a little, Targa and Ice I haven't seen play lately so i'm not sure what to think of them.

How do you plan to celebrate with the $200 prize if Xeria Gaming won? Night out?
If we win, the money will be put into the team pool and used for flights. If we win Frog Cup, i'll personally treat them to a dinner on ACL weekend (I may regret saying this, my poor bank account :P)

Final words for inFi before your game?
For Infi, Good luck, you've done very well getting this far, we will not underestimate you.

Any Final Shoutouts?
Shoutout to our sponsors Kingston, City Hunter Cyber Cafe, V Energy Drink and Plantronics, and thanks to everyone that cheers for us!

What SC2SEA members say about xGKing

+ Show +

Theend: "who in inFi can beat Mafia? "

ThePandarine: "Tough call, but I think xGKing will take it."

fenner: "xGKing has Mafia and I am his. So xGKing wins. "

TArogue: "I support iaguz's beard mainly"

Bash: "I'd like iaguz to win, he seems like a chill dude, and he has a beard, I like beards"

PiG: "I'll always be rooting for my fellow Guangzhou washed-up, Gimli-terran fighting!"

Xeria Gaming's Path to the Finals

+ Show +

Ro32

+ Show +

xGKing > Fade BSG Ballers]
()xGKingPokerface > FaDeAlan
()xGKingPokerface > Byrnsy
()xGKingPokerface > Welshy
()xGKingPokerface > FadeJames
Final Score: 4-0

Ro16

+ Show +

xGKing > eVe
xGKingPoker > EveRors
xGKingPoker > EveTechtron
xGKingPoker > EveYekke
xGKingPoker > EveWest
Final Score: 4 - 0

Ro8

+ Show +

nRv '"Girlfriend name is left hand < xGKing
nRvBard<xGKingPokerface
nRvHavoC>xGKingPokerface
nRvHavoC>xGKingiaguz
nRvHavoC>xGKingBielsko
nRvHavoC<xGKingMafia
Churlz<xGKingMafia
nGenEclipse<xGKingMafia
xGKing wins 4-3

Semi-Finals

+ Show +

Recap here
xGKing > SPR
xGKingLight > MasterSPR
xGKingLight > RyoomakSPR
xGKingLight < BalloonSPR
Bielsko < BalloonSPR
xGKingPokerface < BalloonSPR
xGKingMafia > BalloonSPR
xGKingMafia > SoulmanSPR

Final Score: Xeria Gaming wins 4-3!

______

Who will win? The odds seem to be stacked in favour of Xeria Gaming, but it is the consensus that Team Infinity is definitely no pushover. Remember to vote for your favourite team, and tune in this Thursday, 22nd March, right here on SC2SEA!

[deL]