With a 0-2 loss to GAM Esports, SBTC Esports officially concluded their journey in VCS Spring 2022 in 5th place overall. This means the team once again misses the chance to participate in the playoffs.
Since their debut in the top Vietnamese League of Legends tournament, SE has gone through 3 seasons filled with expectations, but the final results have yet to satisfy their large fanbase. Despite showing their usual inconsistency, the “Pink Chick” has had a few bright spots that fans can look forward to.
The Return of Dia1
If nothing unexpected happens, the VCS Mid Lane star from the 2020-21 season will officially return to the SE lineup starting from the Summer 2022 split. After being banned from competition for a year due to involvement in “match-fixing,” Dia1 is ready to make his comeback to the professional scene.
Although he has been away from competition for a long time, Dia1’s talent is undeniable. Therefore, it won’t take him long to catch up with the competitive rhythm in the VCS. Spot’s case is a prime example; despite not playing in the VCS for 2 years, this jungler also delivered solid performances upon his return.
Compared to rookie 2T, Dia1 is undoubtedly a much more reputable name. With his experience playing for major teams like EVOS and GAM, this player will significantly upgrade SE’s lineup. Moreover, having two mid-laners gives coach Sergh more strategic options. Meanwhile, 2T has a substantial counterpart to strive for a starting position.
Stability in the Roster
Compared to the two previous unsuccessful seasons, the current version of SE will not undergo a complete overhaul. The core consisting of Nper, DNK, Pallette, etc., will remain intact for the Summer split. Therefore, this will be the first season SE can achieve stability in their lineup, providing a foundation to hope for progress.
After a season of acclimatization, the current members have gradually come to understand each other and have a certain level of cohesion. Thus, having fewer changes will allow SE to compete with the top 4 teams, which have not seen much roster fluctuation during this time.
Development Potential
With the current lineup, SE has clearly shown that they are aiming for the long term. Trusting young players like Nper, 2T, and somewhat Vinboiz demonstrates the management team’s strong belief in the future. The 5th place finish this season can be seen as a stepping stone for this roster to have a more impressive season ahead.
In this season, SE has also repeatedly shown that they are a team capable of challenging any opponent. However, the poor distribution of performance peaks during the concurrent SEA Games qualifiers resulted in SE losing many points in the first half of the season. Therefore, this will be valuable experience for the entire team to learn from and improve for the much-anticipated upcoming season.