Double Trouble: PSG Talon's River And Kaiwing Talk Rumble Stage

The first day of the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational’s (MSI) Rumble Stage has begun. Six teams are competing to qualify for the four slots in the Knockout stage (semifinals). 

A strong start that ended in a loss versus the League of Legends Champions Korea’s (LCK) DAMWON KIA and a near-perfect dominant win versus the League of Legends Circuit Oceania’s (LCO) Pentanet.GG. netted the Pacific Championship Series’ (PCS) PSG Talon a 1-1 record to start the Rumble Stage.

We had a chance to interview two of PSG Talon’s players after their second match of the day versus Pentanet.GG. 

First was PSG Talon’s jungler, Kim “River” Dong-woo.

Congrats on your win River, how did it feel to bounce back from the DAMWON Kia loss with a strong win over PGG? 

River: After losing the DAMWON Kia match, we were really hungry for that first win. So I’m glad that we were able to get the win.

When you qualified for MSI and had a chance to see your group, what were your initial reactions? Did seeing the teams in the group give you confidence that you could qualify for the Rumble stage?

River: At that point, we were grouped up with all the champions from different leagues. We didn’t have information about their performances or their levels. We just thought that if we just played as we usually do, we would probably make it to the Rumble Stage.

Now that you’re in the Rumble Stage  — in the time between stages — which team did you look forward to facing off against the most?

River: RNG because even when we were playing against them in scrims, they were really aggressive. They always exert pressure. I just want to find out how they will perform; what it feels like to face up against them on the stage.

"I think we still have a lot of room to improve as a duo."

- Kaiwing

In a past interview, you talked about the jungle meta being spearheaded by Rumble, Udyr, and Morgana. Do you like this MSI jungle meta as it stands, or do you wish for another meta? 

River: I personally don’t like Udyr, so I don’t think this is a really good meta. I don’t like this meta because I prefer champions with high damage profile. But I do think Udyr is the best champion currently.

In another past interview, you talked about your head going blank at Worlds since it was your first international tournament. Now that you have some more international experience under your belt, how are the nerves coming along? 

Compared to last year’s Worlds, I don’t think I’m getting nervous at all. Usually, when you are at international events, you get to become a lot more passive, but this time around, I think I’m making a lot of calls. We have to play proactive, and I always try to open fights. 

You’ve had a solid performance at MSI so far; how do you see yourself amongst the junglers at MSI?

I think my performance isn’t that bad, but it’s kind of good. I think there’s a lot of things to learn from other junglers. I’m just working hard to pick up those skills and perform better. 

Shortly after our interview with River, we were able to speak to their support, Ling “Kaiwing” Kai Wing.

Congrats on your win, Kaiwing. It’s a 1-1 start for the team to MSI’s Rumble Stage; what are your initial thoughts on the start? 

Kaiwing: It was kind of regretful; we were supposed to take a 2-0 today but couldn’t do it. 

Once you qualified for the Rumble Stage after the Group Stage what were you feeling?

Kaiwing: Since we’re here in the Rumble Stage and the enemy teams who are the opponents for us are getting way stronger. We have to prepare really well and try our best in the upcoming matches to get into the next stage, the semifinals. 

At Worlds last year, you had to play with multiple substitutes, and now for MSI, you have to play with one, your AD carry. How has it been playing the tournament playing with Doggo instead of Unified? 

Kaiwing: I think we still have a lot of room to improve as a duo but for now, we’re synergised with each other pretty well. 

How do you rank yourself in the list of supports after MSI’s group stage?

Kaiwing: I think maybe the fourth place or the fifth place. (laughs)

With two matches in the Rumble Stage in their record and a tie for third place, PSG Talon looks to keep themselves above the four-team cut off in order to qualify for the next stage of MSI. They’ll have to play the League of Legends Championship Series’ (LCS) Cloud9 and have a rematch versus the League of Legends European Championship’s (LEC) Mad Lions on May 15. 

Images via Riot Games