This article is part of our Call of Duty series.
One day into the Stage 2 Playoffs, we've seen one team dominate their opposition, and another team blow a shocking 3-1 series lead. Let's take a look at the events that transpired.
OpTic Gaming Lost, Now What?
I'll be honest, when I suggested in my preview for the Stage 2 Playoffs that Luminosity Gaming would play OpTic Gaming tough, I thought they would take a game or two off the Green Wall. I certainly did not anticipate them knocking off OpTic Gaming 4-3 on Thursday, rallying back from a 3-1 deficit to earn one of the most surprising victories in recent memory.
To their credit, Luminosity certainly earned this victory. After falling behind in the series 3-1, everything looked to be falling in favor of OpTic Gaming. With a Round 5 Hardpoint match due up next, it seemed likely that the predominant team in the CWL would cruise through their best game mode onto the semifinals. But with their backs against the wall, Luminosity clutched up, gelling as a team at the best possible moment to win the next three rounds. Renato "Saints" Forza in particular was incredible, first coming up with a tremendous six kill streak to end the Round 5 Hardpoint, then putting together a 38/22 KD in Round 6 Uplink, stymieing the vaunted OpTic offense with an array of skilled kills and brilliant positioning.
"He's one of the best of all-time," said teammate Jeremy "Studyy" Astacio. "He's the one that brought the momentum back for our team. He was definitely the MVP of the series."
Using that surge from Saints, Luminosity rallied together as a team and put away OpTic in the final Search and Destroy, with each member putting together a positive KD in the deciding round.
Despite the impossible odds, Luminosity climbed back from the chambers of defeat, securing their spot in the semifinals while simultaneously turning the Stage 2 Playoffs on its head. But if you thought they would be satisfied, think again.
"We are staying on top of our game and not getting complacent with just one series win," said Michael "SpaceLy" Schmale. "It's time to win this event, but we are going to take it one match at a time."
They'll face the winner of Friday's Dream Team vs. FaZe Clan match to determine who will earn the right to play in the Stage 2 finals.
Envious of John
EnVyUs was certainly expected to win their opening matchup against H2K on Thursday. But their dominance against the No. 8 seed quickly turned into a "statement game" kind of performance, as they earned a convincing 4-0 victory. While most of EnVyUs played well, it was Johnathon "John" Perez that stood out the most.
Pick a round, any round --- John made a huge difference. Round 1 Hardpoint, oh just a measly 29/16 KD and an astounding 2:25 minutes in the hardpoint. Six of the 10 points in a Round 2 Uplink victory. An unbelievable play in which he was able to 1-vs-4 H2K to claim a Game 6 win in Round 3 Search and Destroy. Multiple strategic maneuvers to help his team earn a 5-1 Round 4 Capture the Flag win.
In short, John did it all. However, despite posting a combined 76/63 series KD, the EnVyUs slayer seemed only caught up in his mistakes, though few and far between.
"I could definitely do a little better. There was just a couple of moments where I gave up a kill and we lost the hill because of it, or S&D rounds where I gave up a call and they pushed through," admitted John postgame.
Mistakes or not, the EnVyUs team that took the field in the quarterfinals is a formidable foe, certainly one capable of claiming the Stage 2 crown. While John would only go so far as to say his team was in the "top three" best teams in Call of Duty, performances like the one on Thursday could make a lasting impression on the competition, while providing confidence to a team that already sports some of the best players in the game. With OpTic Gaming now out of the fold, EnVyUs could be poised to make a run of their own.
The real test will come Saturday, as EnVyUs will take on the winner of the Rise Nation vs. Cloud9 match taking place on Friday.
