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Cloud9 eliminates I May and keeps NA Worlds hopes alive

Cloud9 prepares before playing a group stage match at the League of Legends 2016 World Championship. Provided by Riot Games

Another game, another unique pick that doesn't work out for I May as they put Shek "Amazingj" Wai Ho on Maokai in the top lane. Unfortunately for I May, Cloud9 played aggressively in the bottom lane to pull ahead early and held onto a lead they never relinquished, despite having difficulty closing out the game.

At four minutes, Cloud9 secured First Blood for Zachary "Sneaky" Scuderi after Andy "Smoothie" Ta was able to bully I May's bottom lane. Surprisingly, Jung "Impact" Eon-yeong was largely a non-factor for C9 early on, but warmed up on his Rumble pick near the end of the game. Nicolaj "Jensen" Jensen posted a huge scoreline of 10/3/11 on his Ryze.

Cloud9 played very proactively to maintain and grow its lead by setting up picks and using the openings to secure objectives, and while I May was able to push back a little and extend the game, the North American squad eventually broke into the base and took down the Nexus at 51:03. With the loss, I May is eliminated from the League of Legends 2016 World Championship. As for Cloud9, if SK Telecom can defeat Flash Wolves, the NA squad advances. If not, C9 will have to play a tiebreaker versus Flash Wolves for the second seed.