Vertex have capped off a brilliant week on the server with a 3-0 (16-8, 16-2, 16-11) win over DGG Esports to claim the LPL Pro 2022 Season 1 championship.
In their sixth season of LPL, the Wolfpack have emerged victorious after falling short in 2021 at the last hurdle against LookingForOrg.
The grand final saw the return of DGG regular Reily “versa” Dundas after an overseas trip, with temporary stand-in Blade “nexar” Garrick serving the team wonderfully over the past fortnight.
But versa’s return would not be enough to stop a rampaging Vertex line-up from clean sweeping the grand finals, led by Tom “apocdud” Henry (60-45, 1.42 rating).
“I’m doing bloody excellent [Mac], that was a thrilling series and I’m so glad we’re LPL champions,” said an excited James “Roflko” Lytras following the team’s win.
Both Vertex and DGG were favoured to go the distance and meet in the season finale from the get go.
DGG breezed through stage one of LPL Pro, defeating Kanga & 1620 Kings before falling in stage two to Vertex 2-0 (16-10, 16-14) in their first head-to-head matchup.
They wouldn’t meet again until the grand final; Vertex downed Antic 2-1 (7-16, 16-10, 16-11) in the playoff semi-finals, while DGG defeated Pineapple on Pizza (formerly ex-8Ballers) 2-0 (16-10, 16-4).
The grand final began on Vertigo, where DGG’s 7-0 streak on CT had them looking the goods. But four straight to close out the half from Vertex, followed by a dominant 8-1 CT hold of their own, flipped the map on it’s head.
Vertex’s demolition held through DGG’s pick of Mirage, where a 13-2 CT half was quickly converted into a 2-0 series lead at 16-2.
At 7-1 up on Inferno, Vertex looked like they were just going to run away with the championship, but DGG held out to win 10 of the next 13 rounds.
Vertex adapted, however, and broke DGG’s T economy, landing the final six rounds to close out the whitewash 16-11.
In the third place playoff, Antic Esports overcame ex-8Ballers 2-0 (16-11, 22-19) to cap off a solid first season under the Antic name.
