The dark days of T1 seem to have passed, as Faker has just returned and helped the team secure 2 victories, finishing the LCK Summer 2023 group stage in 5th place. Although this position does not grant T1 a strong standing in the playoffs, it is enough to uplift the spirits of the players. In the match against Kwangdong Freecs, smiles and excitement were evident on the youthful faces of T1, as they decimated KDF just as they used to do before Faker went on a break due to injury.
Recently, in the post-match interview after the final game, Coach Tom and Keria shared their thoughts on T1’s difficult times, as well as the roles of Poby and Faker. According to Coach Tom, Poby has indeed put a lot of pressure on his more experienced teammates: “When Poby is around, the other 4 players feel the pressure and burden is 120 instead of just 100. But now, those feelings have disappeared.” Keria agreed, admitting that he always had to find ways to perform better in each game but often failed.
Additionally, Keria mentioned: “Since Faker is the captain, the whole team relies on him quite a bit, not just during games but also outside of them.” Of course, both Coach Tom and Keria acknowledged that Poby has worked very hard within his capabilities. Coach Tom expressed gratitude to Poby as well as the players and fans who have always supported the team during tough times. Keria also extended an apology to his junior for not being able to help Poby secure more victories.
In fact, Poby himself admitted that his older teammates had to take care of their own roles and try to keep him from being targeted by opponents continuously. This contributed to the T1 players not feeling comfortable enough to play their styles and led to many defeats for T1.
Nevertheless, Poby’s efforts cannot be denied. And the entire T1 team, including Faker, has acknowledged Poby’s hard work. This will surely be valuable experience for this player on his journey of growth, both in age and in his career. As for Faker, simply put, his position is irreplaceable, not just in gameplay but also in the aspects of life for the T1 players.