FAKER predicts AL will win the championship.

T1, acknowledged as the second strongest team in LCK, faced AL in the LOL World Championship. Despite their unfortunate defeat to AL, T1's overall strength is still formidable. In the third-place match, T1 managed to crush G2 with a 2-0 score and achieved third place in the championship. During a post-match interview, Faker was asked by the host to predict the champion of this LOL World Championship. Faker honestly stated that based on the MSI results, GEN has a very high chance of winning, but he predicts that AL will ultimately take the title.

Although Faker's prediction in the interview made many LPL viewers happy, GEN showcased incredible strength in the finals. In the first two games, GEN's players demonstrated exceptional laning and team-fighting skills, leaving many LPL viewers in despair. Many thought GEN would sweep AL with a 3-0, but AL displayed remarkable resilience in the third and fourth games, particularly with their jungler Tarzan and top laner Saint, who repeatedly saved the team, successfully bringing AL into a do-or-die situation.

tabe's controversial draft strategy sparks discussion.

After AL managed to come back from a 0-2 deficit, many LPL viewers hoped for a miracle. However, coach tabe's draft strategy in the critical game once again left many LPL viewers and commentators stunned. AL had previously been dominated by Chih's Xayah during MSI, so they banned Xayah multiple times in the Oil Cup finals. Many viewers believed AL would never allow Chih to have Xayah, but in the do-or-die match against GEN, AL's coach surprisingly let Xayah through, resulting in their bot lane being crushed by Chih. Many viewers are left wondering why tabe decided to let Xayah through.

Of course, many viewers also defended tabe, arguing that AL's players have issues with their champion pool. If AL's bot lane had confidence in playing Xayah, then drafting would not have been so challenging. They also believe that AL's carry potential simply cannot match GEN's dual carries. In this BO5, AL's chances of winning relied heavily on the performance of their top, jungle, and support, while AL's carries were suppressed by Chovy and Chih throughout the matches. Therefore, the blame for the final draft cannot solely fall on the coach; it must also consider the players' champion pool issues.

T1 and HLE become the "bases."

After GEN clinched the esports World Cup title, many LPL viewers believed that AL and BLG would become the "bases." However, GEN's choice of "bases" puzzled many spectators, as they regarded HLE, T1, and AL as their trophy bases. It's worth noting that the previous champion T1 chose three "defeated foes" as their bases, but GEN did not face HLE or T1 at all during this LOL esports World Cup, leading many LCK fans to voice their complaints against GEN.

Of course, GEN players also publicly responded to LCK fans' protests during post-match interviews, stating that their selection of these three teams was a sign of respect for their strength. Only teams with significant power deserve to be considered GEN's "bases." Although GEN players' reasoning is valid, BLG faced a lot of ridicule from LPL viewers after the match. Many believed BLG's performances in MSI and the Oil Cup were too poor to even qualify as a "base."

Conclusion

It's truly unfortunate that AL lost the match. I feel that AL's displayed strength is not weak at all, but every time they reach a decisive game, they seem to lack a bit of luck or miss some star players. For instance, GEN's choice of Xayah in the critical match can bring a sense of security. What do you think is the reason behind AL's repeated losses in BO5 matches? Is AL's defeat to GEN indicative of issues with their carries?