League of Legends
Those who remember the ferocity of Vietnamese teams remember it very well, especially the European fans who were shocked to see G2 lose to PVB back in 2019. Now, we see that ferocity through Team Whales’ power and GAM’s determination.
But only one of these two VCS teams can rise to the main stage, and we will have the pleasure of watching the rematch of the VCS finals, with Team Whales’ main support on the roster this time.
We spoke with GAM’s coach Huỳnh "Hankay" Tấn Đạt about their revenge versus LOUD, taking on Team Whales, being at Worlds with so many young players and the current meta.
Aykut Sapaz, BLIX: Hello Hankay, thank you so much for coming and being here with me after your victory against LOUD. Before I want to start getting into the specifics, how was it facing them again when you first met them in your first match in Worlds?
Huỳnh "Hankay" Tấn Đạt: Before we faced LOUD today, I told my players that these matches are not about playing against anyone; it's about playing against ourselves. It's very good to beat ourselves and then prove that we are stronger than them.
BLIX: And prove that you did because it was a very dominant matchup. It seems you obviously prepped against them very well. How was your preparation against them, in your opinion?
Hankay: The first match against LOUD, all the players and the coaches were very comfortable with the draft that we got. But it seemed like we gave LOUD so much advantage to play the game. So this time, we managed to reduce that and give us a more comfortable matchup. That's why I think we can win the game.
BLIX: So the first series was lost because of the draft and now you fixed the draft problem and now it's good.
Hankay: Yep, exactly.
BLIX: Thank you for the clarification on that. How is being in Korea, how is the atmosphere on the world stage right now?
Hankay: The stage here is wonderful because this is Korea, one of the biggest stages for LoL. Everyone here is very confident and loves to come here and play on the stage. We are all enjoying the game.
BLIX: That's very good to hear. Does being on the international stage give you any sort of positive or negative effects? Does it affect your morale or stress?
Hankay: When we first came here, and after the first game and before the first game as well, we faced a lot of pressure not only from outside of the team but also from ourselves. Players feel pressure from themselves. For Slayder, it's his first time going here. Palette is coming after five years, and only three of the top sides of the map have actually played in an international event together. So, we needed a lot of time to reduce the pressure on them. I'm glad that the coaching staff and the manager's support are doing a very good job at the moment.
The Worlds audience is excited for the rematch of VCS’ young blood (Image Credits: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)The true VCS final
BLIX: Yeah, you guys are doing a very good job for a relatively young team. And you know, we've seen GAM in international esports events before, but this time, you're coming in with fresh blood, and so is Team Whales. You're facing them at the next stage to go up to the main event. How will that be like, the rematch of the domestic finals?
Hankay: I think both GAM and Team Whales right now can’t wait to play against each other. Because in-game, we feel like the last final against Team Whales is not actually the final because Team Whales lost their support. If you guys didn't know, Bie got sick before the final, so they had to play with the sub-support. So it wasn’t actually the real final for us, and right now, the boys in GAM and, I think Team Whales as well all have the same feeling, we can’t wait for tomorrow.
BLIX: So that’s why this matchup is very important to Vietnam esports players and everyone else.
Hankay: I mean, the last final in PCS, there was no Bie, but now they're here.
BLIX: So how do you feel about preparing now that you're on the world stage and everything is different here with the meta, the feels, and the pressure? How is that affecting your preparation?
Hankay: I think the advantage for my team and for them is 50/50 as well. We know each other in VCS, and right now, we have maybe equal game numbers here. I think it all comes down to the player's level and the coaches' level. Especially right now, Team Whales, I heard that they have SofM helping a lot. But last time, SofM also helped us. So I think it would be a fair match and anyone can win if they are better.
Trần "Bie" Đức Hiếu returns to the main roster to face GAM (Image Credits: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)Flexible opponents, flexible meta.
BLIX: Yeah, we'll see. The winner will be the better team here. And let's say you guys do win; who do you want to face up against at the main event, like the most?
Hankay: For me, as a coach, I think facing any LPL or LCK team will be a very good knowledge for me, a very good lesson for me in draft and also in the game. But it would be very good if I can face G2 and try to predict what they're going to pick.
BLIX: Ah, the G2 coaching team… With them, you never know.
Hankay: Yeah.
BLIX: It's very fun to hear you being excited about it. Lastly, I want to ask about the meta because you know we locked in a patch and we were playing games. How do you think the meta has changed since the first day of games?
Hankay: I think at the first games, first few games of this Worlds, people are not actually like, because there are no real games, so people just assume, okay, A champion is good, B champion is good, or even C champion is OP. But after a lot of games and matches, now we come to the final day; I think every champion right now is not OP; they're all equalized. There's only one priority: Whatever champion is good for the specific player and specific team, so anyone can pick whatever they want.
