Despite having the slowest start compared to domestic leagues from other regions in Spring 2023, the VCS eventually completed the group stage, and the four teams that advanced have been determined. They are GAM Esports, Team Whales, SBTC Esports, and CERBERUS Esports. Among them, GAM finished the group stage with a perfect 100% win rate while TW and their chosen opponent in the playoffs will be “The Divine Hound” CES.
However, even though GAM has performed very well this Spring, many opinions still believe that GAM will have a hard time at the upcoming MSI 2023. For those who may not know, at this MSI, the VCS region will still only have one representative. However, instead of directly entering the group stage as before, the format of MSI 2023 has undergone numerous changes that make it difficult for the VCS representative. Specifically, the VCS representative will have to play from the Play-in Round, facing off against teams including the runners-up of the LPL, LEC, and LCS.
With the need to compete against strong names just to secure 3 additional slots, not many fans place their trust in the VCS representative, even if it could be the mighty GAM. The reason is that even the runners-up from the LPL are still very strong. Meanwhile, the representatives from the LEC and LCS could easily outmatch the VCS on a day when they don’t make mistakes. Especially when one of the LEC representatives this year is G2 Esports – one of the most famous teams in Europe with a playstyle that’s no less unique than that of the VCS.
The concerns of VCS fans are even more valid as GAM this season often wins due to superior team fights and macro abilities compared to the rest of the VCS. However, this is also a strength of teams from Major regions, especially the LCK and LPL. Therefore, the possibility of GAM surprising others with their team fight handling remains questionable. Moreover, according to many evaluations, AD Carry Sty1e has not truly “max ping” as the audience expected.
However, the opportunity for GAM or any VCS team to compete at MSI 2023 still exists. VCS representatives always have surprising playstyles, and both SGB and GAM have pulled off unexpected feats at MSI 2022 and Worlds 2022. Notably, GAM’s glorious victory over Top Esports stands out, as TES was also the LPL runner-up at that time.
Perhaps, GAM or another VCS team will participate in MSI 2023. But one thing is for sure, all representatives of League of Legends from Vietnam will strive their utmost and bring surprises to both their opponents and fans in the upcoming journey.