This feels like one of the closest elimination matches of the round. Both teams have underperformed compared to expectations, but neither has looked completely out of place. A win keeps the tournament alive, while the loser is heading home.

NiP finally got their first victory by surviving a three-map battle against Luminosity, but they still haven’t looked convincing as a unit, and nothing like the team that won an event a month ago. The roster continues to rely heavily on individual performances, and their overall level has fluctuated from series to series.

BIG haven’t had the easiest road either, but they’ve generally been facing stronger opposition. Despite the heavy defeat to MIBR, this roster has plenty of experience in elimination scenarios, and players like blameF and JDC have shown they can take over matches when needed.

It’s difficult to separate these teams, but I slightly prefer BIG over a longer series. Their ceiling is a little higher, and if their experienced core finds its rhythm, they should edge what could easily become the closest series of the day.