0:2!
The huge score difference, like cold shackles, firmly bound the hearts of every Star Sea Team member. The stage lights of the Grand Finals were still brilliant, but in their eyes, they seemed to have lost all color. In the backstage lounge, the air was so heavy it was almost suffocating. The fatal error from the Prince's engage in the previous game replayed like a nightmare in everyone's minds.
Lüeyǐng slumped in his chair, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders trembling slightly. The immense self-blame and pressure almost crushed him. He was the team's rhythm engine; his mistake directly led to the team's collapse.
"Look up."
A calm voice, yet with an unquestionable power, sounded. Everyone looked over; it was the coach. There was no furious anger on his face as they had imagined, only a cold calmness.
"Now, forget the score, forget the previous mistakes." The coach's gaze swept over each young and dejected face. "What we lost were two games, not the entire series. The meaning of BO5 is that as long as the match isn't over, there's always a chance for a comeback."
He walked to the tactical whiteboard and forcefully erased all the tactical sketches from the previous game.
"Forbidden City Peak is very strong. Their resilience, their macro play, their teamfights, all deserve the title of champion." The coach's voice was resolute. "However, they are not invincible! In the first game, we once held a huge advantage! In the second game, our early-game strategy was not entirely ineffective!"
"Where did we lose?" He looked around at everyone, then answered his own question. "We lost due to impatience! We lost because we wanted to devour our opponent in one bite! We lost because we forgot our own rhythm!"
"From now on, forget 0:2! Treat every upcoming game as the final BO1! Play our own style, believe in each other, believe in the system and coordination we've trained for countless days and nights!"
Lin Haoming also pushed open the door and walked in. He didn't say much, just patted Lüeyǐng and Star Track on the shoulders. "I believe in you. Go all out. Whatever the outcome, the club will always be your strongest backing."
These words were like a stimulant, injected into the almost frozen hearts of the team members. Lüeyǐng slowly lowered his hands, and a spark of fire reignited in his eyes. Star Track pushed his glasses up, and the look behind his lenses became sharp again. Su Xiao took a deep breath and clenched his fists.
Game three, a do-or-die battle!
Stepping onto the stage again, the Star Sea Team members' faces no longer showed the confusion and dejection from before; instead, there was a resolute determination to burn their bridges.
BP began, and Star Sea Team returned to the blue side. They no longer insisted on extreme aggression but chose a more balanced and forgiving lineup: top laner "Dawn" picked his Skilled teamfight champion ornn, jungler "Lüeyǐng" chose the stable map-controlling Zac, mid laner "Star Track" selected the late-game carry Corki, and the bot lane was Su Xiao's Kai'Sa and support "Bulwark"'s Alistar.
Forbidden City Peak, seemingly a bit relaxed, chose a lineup focused on early-to-mid-game tempo, attempting to end the match in one fell swoop.
"Star Sea Team has changed their strategy! They've abandoned the extreme spear and picked up a sturdier shield!" Caster Commentator keenly noticed the change.
The game began, and Star Sea Team showed a completely different rhythm than before. They no longer blindly attacked but focused on vision control and steady farming. Lüeyǐng's Zac was like a patient hunter; every jump was carefully considered, with a clear objective.
Even if Forbidden City Peak found opportunities in the early game and secured one or two kills, Star Sea Team remained composed. They used ornn's passive and Corki's Package (Special Delivery) to stubbornly defend towers, fully ensuring the farming of Kai'Sa and Corki.
"They've stabilized! Star Sea Team has stabilized this game!" Yaoyao exclaimed in admiration, "Their discipline is excellent; they haven't given Forbidden City Peak any chance to snowball!"
The game was stubbornly dragged into the late game by Star Sea Team. As Su Xiao's Kai'Sa and Star Track's Corki completed their items, the scales of victory began to tip.
In a crucial Baron teamfight, Forbidden City Peak attempted to engage first, but "Bulwark"'s Alistar landed a perfect WQ combo, knocking up three enemies! Simultaneously, Dawn's ornn called his Ram from afar, knocking them up a second time!
"Alistar! ornn! Perfect crowd control chain!"
Su Xiao's Kai'Sa entered the fight like a Phantom, unleashing Icathian Rain! Star Track's Corki swept across the battlefield with his Package, dealing tons of AOE damage! Forbidden City Peak's formation instantly collapsed!
"ACE!"
Team wipe!
"They won! Star Sea Team won this decisive teamfight! They secured Baron! They've pulled one back!" Commentator shouted excitedly.
With the Baron Buff, Star Sea Team pushed steadily, step by step, flattening Forbidden City Peak's base!
"Victory!"
When the blue victory sign lit up, the Star Sea Team members clenched their fists tightly, exchanged glances, and hope reignited in their eyes. 1:2! They hadn't lost yet!
Game four, with unstoppable momentum!
Having pulled one back, Star Sea Team's momentum was fully unleashed. In game four, they were on the red side and chose a highly aggressive early-to-mid-game lineup, yet they played with extreme patience and intelligence.
They no longer pursued a one-shot kill but accumulated advantages little by little through precise vision control and resource exchanges. Lüeyǐng's rhythm was back; his every move was perfectly timed. Star Track's lane pressure was fully demonstrated. Su Xiao's farming was always given top priority.
Forbidden City Peak clearly didn't anticipate Star Sea Team adjusting so quickly. They attempted to counterattack, but faced with Star Sea Team's airtight defense and sharp counter-attacks, they were repeatedly frustrated.
In a crucial mid-game Dragon teamfight, Star Sea Team, relying on superior kiting and skill synergy, achieved a 1-for-3 trade, establishing an unshakable advantage.
Subsequently, they gave Forbidden City Peak no further opportunities. Just as they had swept Phantom Team, they crushed Forbidden City Peak's base in thirty-one minutes!
"Victory!"
"2:2! It's tied! Star Sea Team has caught up by two games!" Yaoyao's voice trembled with excitement. "They withstood immense pressure and achieved self-redemption in a desperate situation! They've dragged the match into the final decisive game!"
"Unbelievable! This is the charm of esports!" Commentator's voice was equally high-pitched. "From 0:2 to 2:2, Star Sea Team has shown us what the never-give-up spirit of esports means! Now, the pressure is back on the reigning champions, Forbidden City Peak!"
As the Star Sea Team members walked off the stage, their faces showed the fatigue of release, but even more so, soaring fighting spirit. Lüeyǐng high-fived his teammates, the previous gloom completely swept away.
The finals enter the ultimate showdown! Can the miracle of a reverse sweep from two games down happen? All suspense is left for the final game.