With a guaranteed spot in the Playoffs, the match between Team SoloMid and Dignitas in Week 9 of the LCS Summer 2021 was merely a formality. And in true for-fun fashion, both teams turned this showdown into a humorous show-match.
All 10 players from both teams switched positions; TSM’s Huni moved to jungle, PowerOfEvil took support, and SwordArt played Cassiopeia as marksman… meanwhile, on DIG’s side, marksman Neo moved to jungle, while veteran support Aphromoo tried his hand at the carry position with Swain…
However, for Vietnamese fans, this match in the North American League of Legends league left another significant mark, coming from Dignitas player Neo. When the game began, players from both teams had a “parade entrance” in the mid lane, and it was at this moment that Neo repeatedly displayed the logos of the two teams GAM Esports and Young Generation – the elite representatives of VCS that have made a big impact on the international stage.
This image delighted many Vietnamese League of Legends fans, especially knowing that Neo himself is a player of Vietnamese nationality. It should be emphasized that he is a “Vietnamese player” and not just “Vietnamese descent,” as “Neo” Toàn Trần still holds Vietnamese citizenship and was even a familiar name in numerous semi-professional tournaments within the VCS system.
Therefore, even though Neo did not reveal anything about his actions of displaying the GAM and YG logos, many fans believe that he still has a strong connection to VCS. Even as a well-known name in the LCS, Neo wants to showcase the pride of Vietnamese League of Legends to the international community.
The feeling of longing that Neo has for his colleagues back home, especially at a time when the VCS is indefinitely postponed and the chances of Vietnamese League of Legends reaching the World Championship are nearly zero, has been warmly responded to by domestic fans.
Alongside SofM, Neo is likely to be the next name that Vietnamese fans rally behind, hoping he will be the Vietnamese player to participate in the 2021 World Championship, although the chances are slim. With the new tournament structure in the LCS, Neo’s Dignitas will need to perform at 200% capacity to have a chance to become one of the top three teams in the LCS Summer, thus having the opportunity to think about securing a ticket to China by the end of the year.
