On the afternoon of January 29, the Vietnamese League of Legends community was abuzz when Garena announced the groups for the SEA Games 31 qualifiers in League of Legends. There are a total of 2 groups with 16 teams evenly divided, competing until a final representative – the champion – is found to attend SEA Games 31, which will take place in May 2022.
Looking at the two groups arranged by Garena, netizens couldn’t help but feel excited yet also expressed regret as Group A is viewed as the “death group,” with names like CERBERUS Esports, GAM Esports, and Saigon Buffalo having to face each other too early. With only 4 teams advancing from each group, given their performance in VCS Winter 2021, CES and GAM are considered almost guaranteed spots. Therefore, the other 6 teams must compete for the remaining 2 tickets.
In Group B, the situation is more “manageable,” but the teams appear quite evenly matched. Except for Luxury Esports and Burst The Sky Esports, who are in the top 4 of VCS Winter 2021, the remaining names are either at the bottom of the standings or in VCS B. However, this group will witness an early reunion as Palette will have the opportunity to face Team Flash.
Previously, during his stream, commentator Hoang Luan addressed many questions regarding whether Zeros and Dia1 would participate in the SEA Games 31 League of Legends qualifiers. As everyone knows, Zeros has received a global ban from Riot due to a verbal offense. Meanwhile, Dia1 is serving a one-year ban due to his “under-the-table” dealings while still under GAM Esports. As of now, the mid-laner of SBTC Esports has not completed his punishment (expected to return when VCS Spring concludes).
Commentator Hoang Luan stated: “Before, Teacher Ba said that Loc could play. So, my point is that this SEA Games doesn’t fall under Garena’s management, but there will still be a committee. They will work together with the publisher (Garena) to operate the qualifiers. I’m not very clear about Zeros and Dia1’s chances of participation. But I lean towards them not being able to play. Because it would be unreasonable for someone who is banned from the highest tournament in the Vietnamese League of Legends scene to still participate in the SEA Games. There’s no personal issue, just my perspective.”
Just as commentator Hoang Luan shared, even though the SEA Games tournament is not managed by Garena, the organizers will certainly need to work with Garena to understand the situation of League of Legends, including teams and players… Moreover, competing in the SEA Games represents an entire nation. Surely, if Zeros is allowed to compete and (accidentally) gets selected, it will cause an uproar in the Vietnamese League of Legends community.