Movistar Riders remain undefeated in Group C

The second Bo3-series of the third day in Group C in ESL Pro League Season 15 was between Movistar Riders and Team Liquid. Both teams have had a great start to the event and were undefeated with two victories to their name, before locking horns today. As expected, it was a close battle between the two rosters, that traded maps in order to reach the third and deciding map in Ancient. Both teams proved why they are undefeated within Group C so far, however, ultimately it was Movistar Riders to come out on top. After a very intense three-map-thriller, it was the Spanish boys of Movistar Riders to walk away with three points after yet another victory, this time against Team Liquid.

The first map of the series was, as mentioned, to be played on Inferno, and when looking at the numbers it becomes clear as to why Movistar Riders opted for Inferno as their map pick. With a 67% win rate in the past three months (6 maps), it is Movistar Rider's most successful map as of recent times. From early doors, it was clear that Inferno was going to be close. Trading rounds back and forth it seemed as if it could swing both ways. After winning the last four rounds of the first half, however, it was Team Liquid to secure a 9-6 lead before switching sides. The second half brought more intense and close-call battles across the map. With both teams' AWP'ers performing at a high level it was difficult to foresee the outcome of Inferno. In the end, at the close scoreline of 16-14, it was Team Liquid to take home Inferno and secure an advantage going into the next map of the Bo3-series.

The second map of the series was picked by Team Liquid and saw the Bo3-series head toward Mirage. Just like Inferno was for Movistar Riders, Mirage has been Team Liquid's best map in the past three months. The North American team have won 67% of their matches on Mirage in the past three months (6 maps). Once the two teams had entered the server, however, Team Liquid completely fell apart. Failing to break down the defense of the Spanish Movistar Riders, spearheaded by a "SunPayus" on fire, they had to see themselves behind at 13-2 at halftime. The second half started with Liquid winning the first three rounds, but it wasn't long until Movistar Riders secured map-point at 15-6. Whilst Team Liquid almost managed an incredible comeback it never became reality. At 16-12, the Spanish Riders closed out Mirage and forced a third and final map.

The final and deciding map of the Bo3-series was set to take place on the soil of Ancient. After having traded maps it was all down to Ancient. Movistar Riders started on the, arguably more difficult side of Ancient as T's, but still managed to post a solid performance against the Liquid defense. At 9-6, favoring Liquid, Ancient could go both ways. As one could have anticipated, seeing that Ancient is the most CT-sided map in the official map-pool by quite a bit, things got close and intense in the second half of Ancient. Movistar Riders managed to catch up with Liquid and ultimately overtime was needed for Ancient to find a conclusion. In a close overtime, it was ultimately Movistar Riders to come out on top and take home Ancient at 19-16

Highlight of the Bo3-series

Movistar Riders – Liquid 2-1 | ESL Pro League Season 15 (Group C)

14-16 (Inferno) | NAF – 1.30 Rating / 22-17 K-D / 87.1 ADR

16-12 (Mirage) | SunPayus – 1.52 Rating / 26-12 K-D / 90.4 ADR

19-16 (Ancient) | alex – 1.46 Rating / 29-18 K-D / 103.5 ADR

MVP: Alvaro "SunPayus" Garcia | 1.31 Rating / 71-47 K-D / 77.7 ADR