By Galen Andress
The action in Providence came to a close as Open Bracket sensation FXO.Leenock faced off against the Swedish Protoss coLNaniwa for the biggest prize in MLG SC2 history.
In Game 1 on Shakuras Plateau, Leenock decided to go try and go for a very quick win with a Roach rush. After showing an expansion to Naniwa's scout Probe, Leenock canceled the Hatchery and started Roach production. Naniwa was able to see the attack coming by scouting with his first two Zealots, and was able to get three Cannons up to defend the attack. From there Naniwa was very far ahead, and contained Leenock with Sentries while taking a third base. A huge Blink into his Leenock's main was able to deal the killing blow and give Naniwa a 1-0 lead in the series.
Leenock chose Shattered Temple for Game 2, and was up against another Nexus first build from Naniwa. Naniwa was able to deny the first four Zerglings from Leenock from doing any damage with very nice builing placement and a Probe block at his ramp, and found himself in a great economic position. Leenock tried to even the score with some Roach aggression, but Naniwa was able to hold it taking nearly no losses.
From there Naniwa transitioned into a Stargate, and used a lowground Pylon to warp Zealots into Leenocks main with vision from his air units. Leenock was able to clean up the attack easily, and put the pressure back on Naniwa with Hydralisks and Infestors. Naniwa was able to hold Leenock's attack went went for a counter, but the Corrupters arrived just in time to clean up Naniwa's Collosi. Without a third base, Naniwa was eventually overrun by Leenock's swarm and was forced to surrender.
In Game 3 on Dual Sight, Leenock decided to go for a 6 Pool to counter the fast expansion from Naniwa. Naniwa was able to stop it by getting a Cannon to defend his mineral line, but a few quick Roaches from Leenock were able to force a cancel the expansion attempt from Naniwa. From there Leenock was very far ahead, and used a Muta/Ling switch to pick Naniwa apart and extend the series to a best-of-seven!
In Game 4, Leenock went for the same Roach rush that he did in Game 2, canceling his Hatchery and making a ton of Roaches and Speedlings. Unlike Game 2, Naniwa wasn't able to scout the rush coming, and was quickly overrun by the forces of Leenock. Leenock's win gave him a 3-1 lead in the series, and put him one game away from winning the National Championship.
Naniwa chose Xel'Naga Caverns for Game 5, and once again would have his Forge expand under attack from the early Roach play of Leenock. Naniwa's Cannons weren't able to protect his Nexus on the wide-open natural of Xel'Naga, and it fell to just a few Roaches. From there Leenock was very far ahead, and teched up to Tunneling Claws for his Roaches and a few Infestors for support. Leenock was able to win the first big engagement and clean up the Collosi of Naniwa, and kill his third base a few moments later to force the surrender to take the series 4-1!
