T1 Keria: “I’m confident that we won’t lose to BLG”

LoL Esports

May 17, 2024

Davide Xu

We had the chance to talk to T1 support player Keria after their crushing win against G2 in the lower bracket at MSI.

Photo Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

T1 Keria – if we’re lucky, it will be a 3-0

The interview was conducted in Korean and later translated into English.

This is esports.net and we are joined with T1 Keria after his win against G2. First, congratulations on your win. The first time you faced G2, it was a hard-fought BO5 where T1 was able to emerge victorious. How did you feel before today’s match?

Firstly, after the match with Team Liquid, I felt that our direction and priority picks were not suitable for the current meta. After the match with Team Liquid, I thought a lot about it and told my team that there were a lot of adjustments to be made. In general, I think we were able to prepare and make those adjustments today.

Zeus mentioned that T1 would be G2 3-0. Did you expect this result? How are you feeling right now?

I also felt that we would win 3-0.

Since you’re meeting G2 again, what were the changes and/or preparations made leading up to today’s match?

Compared to our previous match with G2, we closely observed what G2 did and this time our direction seems to be more suited for the match. I feel that our preparations for this match – whether it be in-game or the drafts – was better and that was why we were able to win today.

You will be facing BLG again in the lower bracket finals. The last time T1 faced BLG, it was a 1-3 loss. How is the team preparing for this match?

Similarly, I feel that in the previous match against BLG our direction and priority picks weren’t that good. After the match with Team Liquid, I personally thought a lot about it. To a certain extent, I’m confident that we won’t lose to BLG tomorrow.

How do you feel the rematch is going to go?

For the first game… If we’re lucky, 3-0. If we’re unlucky, 3-1.

Even though Ivern was already picked by G2 previously, were you surprised by their game 3 draft?

We definitely felt that there there was a chance Ivern would be chosen but honestly, when he was chosen as the third pick, it felt he wouldn’t work well in their current team comp. As such, we weren’t expecting it as the third pick.

Despite the top three teams all being from the LPL and LCK, do you think the West (LCS and LEC) has closed the gap?

The gap between West and East getting smaller? Hm… I don’t think that’s the case at all. Personally, I feel that regardless of whether it’s an NA team or European team, they’re all great. G2 also showed a great performance here at MSI and I think that (the NA and EU teams) have consistently been good.

This photo was uploaded onto social media yesterday and it shows you lying on the sofa while Coach kkOma is speaking to you. Could you share with us what happened there and what kkOma told you?

It was before the match with Team Liquid and I was lying down alone by myself because I was tired. Coach kkOma came over and talked to me about the game, like what we should do in the game. I meant to sit up, but he told me to continue lying down so it ended up being a photo of me lying down.

Next, we asked the fans if they had any questions for you and these are the questions that they wanted to ask you. Which support player at MSI has impressed you the most so far and why?

It’s Mikyx for me.

Favourite meta support champion!!

Hm… Right now… I’d say Renata.

What’s the true role of support today in League of Legends?

In the past and now – although (the support role) was important in the past, I think it’s become a lot more important in the present. Hm… I think the value of a support has increased a lot as compared to the past.

What do you like the most about yourself?

Hmm… Hmm… I personally don’t know.

You’re known to be a very big K-pop fan. When did you start liking K-pop?

I listened to Kpop a lot since I was young but I didn’t just listen to K-pop… I’ve always listened to a wide variety of songs so I’ll say that I’m someone who likes all genres.

What song are you listening to the most lately?

Hmm… Hmm…. Recently I’ve been listening to a foreign hip hop artist but I don’t exactly remember the name of the song. For songs that I remember the name of, there are quite a lot of swear words so I don’t think I should mention them. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll let you guys know. I can’t remember the title right now so…

To end this interview, please say something to the fans in English!

Thank you, see you next time. Tomorrow win. Thank you!