After quite a controversy with the entire EG debacle, we eventually reached the final match-up. Opening the series with de_nuke, JMC took the offensive side; 3D, the defense.


For the pistol round, JMC decided on a quick inside attack and was able to pick off 4 players, leaving 3D|moto in a 1v2 situation with the bomb planted. Moto fragged one, but was tricked by the other, and was unable to even attempt a bomb defuse. That began one of the stranger openings of a match this writer has seen in awhile.

In the second round, 3D was able to get some guns from JMC and win the eco. Then, in the third round, JMC bought and was able to steal a victory and trade rounds. 3D wasn’t able to attempt a defuse in either round they lost.

JMC won five of the next six rounds quite impressively. 3D’s only bright spot came courtesy of a fast outside attack by JMC. The defense was able to rotate and surround JMC, giving them the round with little trouble. At this point, JMC was looking strong and 3D was down 2-7.

3D must have taken a moment to collect themselves, because the defense in their remaining rounds was very solid, ultimately helping them collect the final half dozen rounds. In round 13, Hanes was able to pick two defensive players at the ramp, but shaGuar finished him off with a crazy jumping colt shot. The 15th round saw JMC trying to take it slow and pick off, but they were stopped by another good rotation from 3D. The first half ended 8-7, advantage 3D.

3D really responded at the end of the first half. They were not able to get much going in the first few rounds, but you can only shutdown a team like 3D for so long.

To open the second half, 3D rushed the inside site. JMC played a passive defense, allowing the offense to get the bomb down without any firefights. Still in a 5v5 situation, JMC waited and rushed back into the site, killing all of the 3D members with a smooth, well-executed takeback.

After one eco, 3D bought in round three. They attacked the upper site and traded several kills, leaving Volcano up against Hostile with the bomb planted. Volcano played it smart and hid outside. Hostile was in a bad situation and Volcano capitalized on it, fragging his opponent and finishing the round for 3D.

JMC stopped 3D’s upper attack in round 5, and demolished them in round 6. Because they lost those 2 rounds in a row, 3D was forced to save. During the save round, Moto made a nice glock shot on des1re, picked up his colt and two more frags. I never thought I would get the chance to say Moto made some impressive shots...surprising.

3D won round 10 with some clutch play in a 2v2 situation, but JMC took over soon after. With the score at 13-12, JMC needed three more rounds for the win, and they took them with ease. In the last three rounds, JMC completely shut 3D down. In round 11, 3D was able to take the ramp, but the defense played it cool and didn’t let 3D move an inch. The entire defensive team was getting in on the action at this point. In the last round, 3D tried to attack the inside site, but was cut down easily by JMC, who closed out the first match with an iron fist.

With 3D down 0-1 in the best of 3 series, they now had to win two maps in a row to win the CEVO title and the accompanying prize. NOTE: CEVO chose to go with only one best of 3 series. Though JMC did come from the lower bracket, this single series would crown the champion.