On March 28th, DAMWON gaming flexed their muscles for the upcoming playoffs by defeating Gen.G with a 2-0 match score. They steamrolled throughout the entire Rift in game one, while game two was a much closer affair, with DAMWON’s Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon competing toe-to-toe with Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk in carrying their respective teams to victory. Below is a press conference with DAMWON Gaming’s Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu after their team’s victory.

Congratulations on your victory! How do you feel at the moment?

Canyon: We haven’t been at our best as of late, so we were a bit anxious. I think today’s win will be a big confidence boost, so I feel really good.

DAMWON Gaming was confirmed to advance to the playoffs as the 5th place team, regardless of today’s results. How did you motivate yourself tonight?

Canyon: I think the pressure was off today because there was no risk of falling or climbing the league table. Playing without pressure on my shoulders actually helped me play better.

Both top laners brought aggressive champions today. How did this affect your play?

Canyon: I knew it would be important for me to help Nuguri out because when there is a match-up between two aggressive champions, gaining an advantage means everything. I played around the top lane a lot, and I guess it worked out.

Can you elaborate on the situation when you stole the Baron in game one?

Canyon: Corki had Special Delivery, so we went in thinking that we could have an edge in the following teamfight even if we didn’t manage to make the steal happen. We stole the baron, and Gen.G disengaged, so we didn’t get the fight.

You seemed to be struggling a bit on Gragas in game two. Can you comment on that?

Canyon: I think my Gragas play wasn’t at the highest level. That snowballed into the Yasuo-Gragas combo not working out as well as it could have. Also, the opponent’s team composition was very focused on protecting Ruler’s Ezreal, so we switched our strategy to not absorbing too much poke damage [and let Kayle do all the work].

DAMWON Gaming had a time when they were on a winning streak and looked very solid. Are you disappointed with your final position in the LCK Spring Split standings after such a strong start to the split?

Canyon: I am certainly disappointed that we could only finish in fifth place. I deserve some of the blame for the team’s bad performances on certain days, and I should certainly work harder so that we can do better.

The addition of Son “Punch” Min-hyuk on DAMWON Gaming means that you have to compete as the starting jungler. Do you think this helps you grow as a player?

Canyon: Yes. For some reason, I get nervous when I play on the stage and don’t perform as well as I do in scrims. Having someone to compete with lets me better reflect on my mistakes and bad performances. I believe that today’s win will really help me do better in the future.

You have secured fifth place for the split, and you are now looking towards playoffs. Is there any team that you are looking forward to playing against?

Canyon: I want to play against SANDBOX Gaming.

Is there a special reason for that?

Canyon: It’s because we lost both matches against them on a 1-2 match score. I also think that there were moments when we could have won the game if I did a little bit better.

Do you have any final words to your teammates?

Canyon: I really want to say [pause, very shyly] … thank … you … to my teammates. I really get nervous on stage and I’m working on improving.