Though it is Off-season for the regular regional Splits, the annual NEST (National Electronic Sport Tournament) has officially begun. The tournament will feature eight teams with their rosters listed here. In a single elimination manner, the top 3 teams at the end of this tournament will automatically be qualified for the Demacia Cup. Three things to note when watching is EDward Gaming will be sending their academy team to this tournament, Invictus Gaming has forfeited; allowing their opponent Suning Gaming to advance to the Semifinals and OMG will be playing with their trainee players.

OMG vs JDG









Starting off will be OMG vs JDG, the first game’s pacing was set when OMG’s top laner Curse with Irelia getting 2 solo kills on JDG’s top laner Zoom’s Viktor. The lane priority allowed OMG to get 2 drakes while JDG’s experience allowed coordinated a play top lane that transitioned into a Rift Herald. Unfortunately for them, OMG won a team fight and ended the game shortly after getting Baron.









Game 2 started differently with JDG having an overall advantage in the early game, taking the first turret at bottom and transitioning that advantage to the top side to win a team fight. With a narrow lead and JDG’s experience to utilize it, they were able to grab Baron as OMG tried to slow the pace of the mid-game. However it was not enough as JDG end with a decisive victory over OMG.









Early game was explosive in game 3 as both teams proactively try to gain advantages with OMG 3-man ganking mid lane to take JDG’s first mid turret and JDG doing everything they can to stop the momentum. It was at 21 minutes where JDG take out OMG in a teamfight that would lead to Baron and ultimately victory for JDG.





TOP vs LGD









In the second series between TOP and LGD, it started well for LGD as Viktor gets a kill on TOP’s jungler Xx’s Taliyah with an assist from a gank. However TOP was able to win a skirmish which transitioned into the taking of Rift Herald to siege the first middle turret. Back and forth in the mid game allowed TOP getting the first Baron and LGD with the second, though it was not enough as they lose 2 members before TOP managed to push through to LGD’s nexus and take the game.









TOP brings out a reminiscent pick in the form of Sejuani which is successfully able to help both top and mid lane gain priority allowing Ggong’s Lissandra to roam bot for 3 kills. The momentum continues for TOP as they successfully get a 3 for 0 despite losing Lissandra and bottom outer turret. TOP gets baron after a 4 for 1 team fight before ending a game right after an ace to close out the series in a clean 2-0 fashion.

It’s evident that the fast-paced games continue from Worlds as the dominating meta at this tournament with games ending around the 30 minute mark. Tomorrow will be the first Semifinal between Suning Gaming and TOP as well as Rogue Warriors going against EDG in the last Quarterfinal matchup. Two things to look out for tomorrow are Suning’s first showing seeing as IG had forfeited and Rogue Warriors playing against EDG. As Doinb had mentioned earlier last month that he will be moving to streaming, this may be the last tournament we will see him play at.





Written by: Benson Cheng @1337sn1per