Image: Riot Games
For Breathe, every team including his has a chance to raise the Summoner's Cup this year.
Could this year be the year Weibo Gaming (WBG) finally claims the Summoner's Cup? Despite a mixed showing in the League of Legends World Championship 2024 Swiss Stage, WBG secured a spot in the Knockout Stage semifinals with an unexpected 3-1 victory over LNG Esports in the quarterfinals.
WBG top laner Chen "Breathe" Chen is in high spirits after their quarterfinal win. Speaking at the post-match press conference, he shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and their chances of winning the title.
"I'm very excited and happy. I feel like I'm getting closer to the trophy," said Breathe.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA ENDING pic.twitter.com/LNG2WvhHcG
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) October 17, 2024
While this win pushes WBG closer to their goal, it hasn’t been an easy journey. They now await a highly-anticipated semifinal clash against either Bilibili Gaming (BLG) or Hanwha Life Esports (HLE). Should they progress, they will face the likes of Gen.G Esports, FlyQuest, T1, or Top Esports in the Grand Final.
Doesn't it sound like a potential repeat of WBG's Worlds run last year? In 2023, WBG knocked out both LNG Esports and BLG on their way to the Grand Final, only to be swept 3-0 by T1, who claimed their fourth title that year.
This year, however, WBG were far from favourites coming into Worlds. Their inconsistent Summer Split performance raised doubts, but they still managed to secure the fourth seed and qualify for the tournament.
Their struggles continued in the Swiss Stage. By the end of week 1, WBG were on the brink of elimination with a 1-2 record, losing to Gen.G in the opener, earning a single win against Team Liquid, and then falling to G2 Esports. Week 2 saw a remarkable turnaround, as WBG narrowly edged past Fnatic and DPlus KIA to secure their place in the Knockout Stage.
Weibo Gaming’s steady improvement
Their victory against LNG not only propels WBG into the semifinals, it also boosts their confidence as they eye the Summoner's Cup. Breathe believes any of the remaining teams, including WBG, are capable of lifting the trophy.
“I think that every team that has made a deep run at Worlds has the ability or the chance of winning the Worlds championship trophy,” he said.
However, he emphasised the team's growth. "Our team has improved a lot in terms of synergy and trust for each other," he noted, pointing to the individual performances of his teammates, who have stepped up game after game.
For Breathe, two key factors have contributed to WBG’s resurgence: "First of all, it is the communication aspect. The second is the macro aspect. I think these two aspects have improved a lot."
Trust between teammates has also been a crucial part of their improvement. “We are getting better and better, and we trust each other more and more,” he reiterated.
Despite the strength of their potential opponents in the semifinals, Breathe believes that WBG’s progress will come down to individual performances.
"The rest of the games will depend on our individual performance. We are going to strive to take them [all] down," added Breathe.
Adapting to the Worlds 2024 meta
The meta has shifted significantly from the Summer Split to Worlds 2024, and Breathe highlighted the importance of tactical flexibility, particularly WBG’s understanding of lane swaps — a crucial aspect of the current patch. "Whichever team has a better understanding of lane swaps will have a better game, [especially] in this current patch," he explained.
Confident in their adaptability, Breathe added, “I think we have a good understanding of lane swaps. Everyone knows what to do.”
When asked about the LPL's strength compared to the LCK, Breathe was noncommittal, though he admitted he keeps a close eye on LPL players.
“I can't really say if the LPL is better than the LCK, or vice versa. They are all very good,” he shared. “I think it depends on who laughs first.”
Looking ahead, with either BLG or HLE awaiting in the semifinals, Breathe was candid when GosuGamers asked which team he would prefer to face.
“From my perspective, I'd rather face off against BLG because it's the LPL region,” he said. “If we can take them down, that would be so meaningful for us.”
For Breathe, defeating BLG would be more than just a step towards the finals—it would represent a major breakthrough for WBG.
However, as Weibo Gaming prepares for their semifinal showdown, the question among the Weibros remain: Could this be their year to finally claim the Summoner’s Cup? Or will they once again fall short at the last moment?
