The San Francisco Shock made their third straight stage finals this Overwatch League season, but fell just short in seventh map losing by a final score of 4-3. Now, the team’s coach, Crusty, has revealed that a lack of preparation between the semi-finals and finals hurt his team.
Speaking on stream, Crusty said (via Gatamchun‘s translation of notes by @openerandshirt), “We had 10 hours after the Valiant match, including sleep and meal times. Normally I plan out movement trajectories for players on the maps, but for this match we had no time.”
Crusty on stream: we had 10 hours after the Valiant match, including sleep and meal times. Normally I plan out movement trajectories for players on the maps, but for this match we had no time. You could ask why we didn’t prep for Shanghai ahead of this, but 1/2 https://t.co/2AhrPR5jVl
— Ana’s Tal Mask (@gatamchun) July 15, 2019
The Shock’s semi-final match against the Valiant on Saturday was scheduled for 9:00 PM with the finals the next day at 1PM. The Dragons, meanwhile, played their Saturday semi-final against the Vancouver Titans at 7 PM.
“You could ask why we didn’t prep for Shanghai ahead of this, but you have to start with the opponent right in front of you. It’s all my fault,” Crusty added.
The potential coach of the year also dropped a bombshell regarding his health. “Since the players make it to the finals match each stage, it’s been very stressful. My health has also worsened, my blood pressure isn’t good, bc of the repetitive lifestyle. I’m going back to Korea after this stream and I’m gonna go see a doctor,” the translated tweet said.
Crusty on stream: since the players make it to the finals match each stage, it’s been very stressful. My health has also worsened, my blood pressure isn’t good, bc of the repetitive lifestyle. I’m going back to Korea aftee this stream and I’m gonna go see a doctor. https://t.co/zDlhTQya71
— Ana’s Tal Mask (@gatamchun) July 15, 2019
One topic of discussion and great intrigue was the decision to start Striker, Architect and Smurf on Oasis.
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Crusty revealed he “asked Architect to mark Dding’s Pharah on Oasis, and Striker to distract Diem. But it didn’t really come to situations where they went 1v1” and if the DPS mirror worked out he “wouldn’t have subbed out Architect and Striker.”
While his team did suffer immensely at first, following behind 3-0, they near completed an improbable reverse sweep by bringing the series back to a seventh map.
“After winning Maps 4-6, I agonized over whether to go with the same roster or whether to switch back to the DPS roster on Map 1. Will I stay safe, or will I make a gamble? I ultimately went with the main roster but I have some regrets,” the coach confessed.
Crusty on stream: after winning Maps 4-6, I agonized over whether to go with the same roster or whether to switch back to the DPS roster on Map 1. Will I stay safe, or will I make a gamble? I ultimately went with the main roster but I have some regrets. https://t.co/0rJUdmGM6t
— Ana’s Tal Mask (@gatamchun) July 15, 2019
Had his team won, this would have been the first time in professional Overwatch history that a reverse sweep from a 3-0 deficit occurred. Something we may never see in our lifetimes.
To put this in perspective, in traditional sports, only 4 NHL teams have been able to pull off a reverse sweep when down 3-0. Only one time has an MLB team come back from 3-0 and it has never happened in the NBA.
The Overwatch League is currently on a week break but will return July 25 for the start of stage 4.