With spring playoffs arising, we sat down with VCS specialist Clockwork to speak concerning the Vietnamese league and its groups.
![vcs 2023 playoffs](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vcs-clockwork-e1681204115372.webp)
Picture Credit | Riot Video games
VCS Spring Playoffs – 4-way battle
Despite the fact that VCS is taken into account a minor area, it’s some of the thrilling leagues to look at. Not solely as a result of they’ve nice home abilities, however they normally have the potential to upset massive groups at worldwide tournaments, like GAM Esports beating High Esports at Worlds final 12 months.
This 12 months, VCS noticed massive adjustments to the league. The primary and most essential one is that Riot Video games gained management because the event organizer, changing Garena. The opposite one, as a substitute, is the addition of two new groups to the VCS: MGN Field Esports and Crew Flash have changed the disqualified Genius Esports and AS Esports.
On condition that the league is just not adopted as carefully as main areas, it was mandatory to search out somebody who knew all of the groups, the gamers, and their backgrounds. Because of this, I had the prospect to speak to Clockwork, a former VCS analyst/caster who’s now on a break as a result of educational causes.
That stated, he nonetheless actively follows the Vietnamese League, and due to him and the contribution of the VCS English broadcast crew (Yulwei, Krincy, Beast, Mabinogi), we bought a transparent thought of the groups’ values coming into playoffs.
After a busy tremendous week, GAM Esports, Crew Whales, SBTC Esports, and CERBERUS Esports are the 4 groups that can head over to the VCS Spring playoffs to find out who’s going to symbolize the area at MSI.
Learn additionally: LoL MSI 2023 skins confirmed
Sitting down with Clockwork to speak concerning the high VCS groups
When speaking about his impressions on the league this 12 months to date, Clockwork stated that it’s “fully totally different from previous splits, with many good gamers unfold throughout the standings”.
Despite the fact that this must be nice for the general aggressive stage, as it will likely be extra balanced, Clockwork doesn’t assume it’s essentially a great factor.
“The truth that GAM Esports are nonetheless on the high of the standings is slightly worrying for me. I really feel like they aren’t as sturdy as final 12 months, having misplaced their MVP assist Bie. GAM are sustaining a great stage of play, enjoying extra towards the late-game, however there is no such thing as a different crew able to contest them regardless of their downgrade,” he stated.
GAM went undefeated within the common break up, attaining a 14-0 with a 78% win fee. For Clockwork, they’re undoubtedly the crew with the very best probabilities of profitable playoffs. That stated, there’s a sturdy 3-way battle for second place with no clear favourite.
“Crew Whales had been the large winners of the low season, having picked up Bie from GAM and star jungler Killerqueen, who is thought for his out-of-the-box jungle playstyle. I consider him just like the VCS model of Malrang: he can pop off with some loopy performs, but in addition have occasional dangerous moments.”
![vcs team whales](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/team-whales-2023-e1681210813668.webp)
Picture Credit | Crew Whales
With these two gamers on the crew, Crew Whales was supposed a powerful contender for the title, but it surely took them longer than anticipated. Fortunately, they appear to have discovered their groove just lately, which is able to enhance their probabilities of success throughout playoffs,” he continued.
Crew Whales dominated the final week of VCS, managing to lock in second place after profitable the tie-breaker towards SBTC Esports.
Talking of SBTC, Clockwork is having blended emotions about this crew, contemplating that the crew all the time carried out nicely throughout common splits however choked when it actually mattered. “I hope that the addition of former SBG’s coach Ren will assist them repair this concern. If we’re having a look at SGB’s present performances regardless of no roster adjustments (Saigon Buffalo completed fifth with a 6-8 report), it goes to indicate that Ren all the time has a decisive affect on the crew,” he stated.
Clockwork has the same consideration for CERBERUS Esports, as they’re all the time dropping within the second section of the break up. Whereas he thinks jungler EGO is likely one of the finest within the league presently, it’s worrying that he needed to break up video games with the opposite jungler Draktharr.
Clockwork’s prediction for VCS Spring playoffs and concerns for MSI
When requested about his predictions for playoffs, the Italian caster wished Crew Whales may make it to the finals towards GAM. That stated, it will likely be shut between them and SBTC, as he thinks Ren is a superb coach that can make a distinction. Regardless, GAM are favored to win all of it.
With that in thoughts, we requested Clockwork what he thinks of the VCS area as an entire and the way it might fare towards the opposite areas coming into MSI, which is able to happen subsequent month. With the brand new format change, VCS will subject one crew within the play-ins stage, the place they should compete towards different wild card areas, and the second seeds from LPL, LCS, and LEC.
![msi lol 2023](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/msi-lol-2023-e1681210893271.webp)
Picture Credit | Riot Video games
“If GAM finally ends up going to MSI, I believe they could have a good shot with many of the play-in groups. I imagine that the LPL will destroy them, however other than that, the remainder of the wild card areas and second seeds from LCS and LEC are inside attain. Personally, I’ve all the time handled the LCS and VCS at the same stage, so it will likely be an in depth battle between the 2,” he stated. “Contemplating that the LEC is presently fairly messy, with new groups on the rise, there could be a situation the place the VCS also can beat LEC’s second seed,” he concluded.
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