On August 24, the first match of the VCS Summer 2022 playoffs took place with a matchup between Team Secret (TS) and Saigon Buffalo (SGB). The result was beyond the imagination of most viewers as SGB easily claimed victory over TS in just over 2 hours (including breaks and drafting time).
After SGB’s performance, many viewers seemed to have lost faith that another team could compete with SGB and GAM Esports (GAM) this season. Although it is still too early to assert that SGB and GAM will be the two names representing the VCS at the upcoming 2022 World Championship (CKTG 2022), this assertion is entirely valid.
Consistent Performance
It cannot be denied that both GAM and SGB had a tough start to the season when both teams suffered losses against opponents who were considered weaker. At one point, there were rumors that GAM would have no chance of contending for the championship, and even risk losing their spot at the 2022 World Championship. Meanwhile, SGB fell to the bottom half of the standings, leading Coach Ren to promise he would resign if he couldn’t take SGB to the 2022 World Championship.
However, after their setbacks, GAM and SGB bounced back, maintaining their performance at the highest level. GAM only lost 3 matches at the start of the season and won all remaining matches in the group stage. In contrast, from the second half of the group stage until their first playoff match against TS, SGB only lost 2 matches, one of which was against the strongest contender for the championship – GAM.
The Resilience of Top Teams
Some may call this the DNA of champions, but in this case, it can be said that GAM and SGB are the two teams that almost uniquely exhibit the resilience of teams capable of competing at CKTG 2022. SGB demonstrated that they fully deserve their place among the top 6 teams of MSI 2022 after their dominating performance against TS. Even when TS seemed to have the upper hand in game 3, SGB players remained unfazed and ultimately achieved an overwhelming victory.
As for GAM, they remain one of the most powerful forces in the Vietnamese League of Legends (LoL) scene. Witnessing GAM’s comeback, defeating all VCS teams after initial struggles, has excited the community even more. Besides believing that GAM will successfully defend their VCS championship title, many fans also hope that Vietnam’s representatives can go far in the upcoming CKTG 2022.
Other Teams Lack Competitive Edge
Before the playoffs officially began, even after TS had lost both home and away matches against GAM, many viewers still believed that TS could compete on equal terms with SGB and GAM for the title and a spot at CKTG 2022. However, the issues gradually surfaced during the match between TS and SBTC Esports (SE). Then came TS’s disappointing loss to SGB on the very first day of the VCS Summer 2022 playoffs.
As for SE, they continue to display the typical instability after a few early-season highs. Similar to their performance during the SEA Games 31 qualifiers or VCS Spring 2022, after a soaring phase, SE has returned to earth in an undesirable manner. In fact, SE almost missed out on the playoffs. A team that has to wait until the very last matches to know their fate may not have the necessary capability to compete for a spot at CKTG 2022 this time.
Conclusion
However, it is still too early to draw any conclusions. But if SE and TS do not show a brighter face, then the championship race in VCS Summer 2022 and the spot at CKTG 2022 will likely be a contest solely between SGB and GAM.