xFreedom will eat at Subway every meal if you let him.

Hopefully, that little tidbit of information would have distracted you enough to forget that I’m late in posting this update. So let’s jump right into it then!!

Team Zenith came into day 5 pretty relaxed, knowing that we have already secured a top 4 finish in the group. The only match that mattered was EG vs CLG, as they would be battling for the last slot in the top 4. Thus, when Zenith arrived at the Valve offices, it was no surprise that both these teams were in the manager’s stream room watching replays.

The games vs aL were over rather quickly; the first of which was a 19-minute win for Zenith, while the second was a failed attempt at an Alchemist strat which resulted in an aL win. The rest of the day was spent lounging around and interacting with the others at the venue, while waiting for iceiceice and xy- to conclude their interviews with Valve.

Eventually, Zenith did play EG again. But this time, at the foosball table. I’m embarrassed to say EG shamed Zenith a second time as hyhy failed to make full use of his micro to win Maelk and Pusher (currently EG’s coach).

Also, Dendi beat me 21-18 at table tennis.

The rest of the day was spent back in the hotel room. Some spent the time watching VODs and replays. Others took advantage of the free time to rest. At 7pm, we all headed over to a player’s dinner at The Harbor Club hosted by Valve.

Some people took it too literally when I said ‘dress up a little for the dinner’.

It was a pretty neat setting, holding it at the 25th floor of the Symetra building, giving us a majestic view of the nighttime Bellevue skyline. I’m just going to let the pictures do the majority of the talking.

Highlight of the night: Xboct and most of CLG coming over to join Orange and Zenith (and a Chuan) in a Chinese drinking game. Hilarity ensues as Pajkatt, Akke, Loda and Xboct struggle to pronounce Chinese words. It was an fun-filled evening for the players who could, for once in this first week in Seattle, let their hair down and party. It was a well-deserved break for them as well as the Valve staff. Hopefully this would energize everyone and get them all even more hyped up for the playoffs.

Come back in a day or two as our daily blog updates will resume on the first day of the playoffs at Benaroya Hall.