With just about 2 days left (Vietnam time), the group stage of LCK Summer 2022 will officially conclude. Compared to Spring 2022, the events and results of the matches this Summer have become much more unpredictable. Some teams that performed poorly in Spring 2022 have surprisingly rallied, with Liiv SANDBOX being a notable example. These factors promise an incredibly exciting upcoming playoffs.
However, there is one team that is currently causing a lot of concern for fans. That team is T1, as up to now, Faker and his teammates have lost 3 matches, counting both the first and second rounds of the LCK Summer 2022 group stage. However, entering the playoffs will be very different, and the following reasons are what T1 fans can cling to in order to believe that Faker and his team can still defend the championship they won in the previous Spring.
The Resilience of Champions
Remember, in Summer 2021, T1 was even in a tougher situation than now. But with their resilience and experience, the talent of those who have fought through many BO5 matches in their careers, led by Faker, T1 surged all the way to the finals and only lost to DWG KIA, who were still at their peak at that time.
Players like Gumayusi, Keria, and Oner have also gained a lot of experience in BO5 matches. Meanwhile, Zeus has shown incredible confidence and resilience, even in tough times for T1. Therefore, it is entirely reasonable to believe that when entering the BO5 matches, T1 will present a completely different face compared to their current performance in the second round of the LCK Summer 2022 group stage.
Gen.G Esports is Still Not a Name You Can Fully Trust
Looking back at the LCK Spring 2022 finals, Gen.G Esports (Gen.G) entered the finals with a very relaxed mindset. Meanwhile, after this match concluded, it was revealed that all T1 players had tested positive for the virus and had to compete in a state of poor health and mindset. The remarkable thing is, even under such circumstances, T1 still defeated Gen.G.
In this Spring, T1 and Gen.G have a tied score after 2 matches in both rounds. Although Gen.G defeated T1 2-0, this still doesn’t completely reassure the fans of either team or the League of Legends community. Because, on a bad day, it is very common for players like Peanut, Chovy, or Doran to underperform and make “blind” plays.
Therefore, if they play with discipline, T1 can definitely win against Gen.G. Of course, if this victory happens, it will not be easy at all, especially since Gen.G is very determined on their quest for the championship.
Faker’s Determination
At this moment, Faker is 26 years old. This means that the time when Faker will have to retire is approaching. The advancements in logistics have allowed Faker to continue competing while many of his contemporaries have retired. But certainly, everyone has moments of fatigue, and Faker is no exception.
Therefore, Faker will truly be incredibly determined, if not more so than his remaining teammates. The final finals of Faker’s career are approaching, and he certainly does not want to lose in any more finals in his glorious career.