Foreword: The S16 season has officially kicked off, and the majority of players have been paying close attention to the recent bouts. The MSI tournament is heating up, and the match between BLG and HLE has drawn widespread discussion, given it features the number one seeds from the LCK and LPL. No one expected such a one-sided game, with HLE seemingly having no answer. However, during the post-match interviews, several of their starting players remained defiantly confident, especially top laner Zeus, who openly stated that Bin wasn't that strong and that he was easy to play against.

Zeus's post-match interview showed his stubborn refusal to acknowledge Bin.

Most fans have been keeping an eye on this MSI tournament. As the main event progresses, teams are being eliminated one by one, and the excitement continues to rise. The biggest upset was arguably the match between G2 and T1. Many thought the multi-time champions would cruise to victory, but they were completely overwhelmed by G2. The BLG versus HLE game was more evenly matched, with a 3-1 scoreline largely expected. Across the series, both sides maintained a steady pace, though the number of pauses was surprising.

In the post-match interviews, it was clear that several HLE players weren't fully convinced of the loss, given that they still had a chance in the losers' bracket. If they could beat G2, they would get another shot at BLG. Top laner Zeus, in particular, seemed unable to accept defeat. When the host noted that Bin had beaten him four times in BO5 series and asked what made the matchup difficult, Zeus replied directly that he personally didn't find it especially hard. He acknowledged that he had often lost to Bin at MSI and that his record there was poor, which explained the outcome. But having failed to win despite receiving counter picks on multiple occasions, Zeus's words indeed came across as stubborn.

If the roles were reversed in such an interview, Bin's reputation might have been ruined instantly. This shows how LCK top laners can maintain their standing more easily. In contrast, Kanavi's interview was much more humble. He admitted that his team had lost badly, but said that if they met BLG again in the finals, they would be prepared and believed they could win. Many LPL fans have forgiven him, since he still follows his old pattern of mindlessly invading the jungle—if it works, he wins; if not, he collapses. When he won the championship, some thought Kanavi had evolved, but that was just an illusion—he remains the same jungler we've always known.

Now G2 is under the most pressure. In the Global Vanguard tournament, they successively eliminated LCK teams BFX and Gen.G. This time, they've already crushed T1, and with their current momentum, their goal is crystal clear. Barring surprises, G2 will compete with HLE for a finals spot. It will come down to their form—whether they can once again clear the path for BLG. If they can replicate their Vanguard miracle, G2 would deserve a special "Best External Contributor" award.

In conclusion, I think

As the LCK champions, HLE's entire roster has been consistent in their interviews: they plan to climb from the losers' bracket and defeat BLG in the finals to win the title. However, based on their current form, it's uncertain whether they can even get past G2. There's growing anticipation for the LPL now. Xun is clearly the optimal solution for BLG. If they hadn't swapped junglers last season, they might have already won the championship.

What do you, dear viewers, think about this?