After years of trying, Invictus Gaming finally lifted an LPL trophy, sweeping JD Gaming in the final last Sunday. IG are now going into MSI with the goal to make the dream hat-trick of titles: Worlds, domestic championship, and MSI.

After the win, IG sat with members of the press to discuss the series and what the win means for one certain player.

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To Jackeylove: In game 3, you finally got to play your signature champion, Draven, and we all saw the big smile on your face. How did it feel to play this champion on a big stage and how would you rate your performance?

At first, I wasn’t planning to pick Draven. I simply wanted to give this champion some screen time by hovering him. But on second thought, even if we had lost this one, we’d still have a chance to come back, so we decided to give it a go. Also Draven versus Kai’Sa is a pretty good match-up.

To Rookie: Congrats on your first ever LPL title. Game 3 looked a little sloppy compared to game 1 and game 2. Was that because you already had a 2-0 lead so you were a little off guard?

Yeah, that’s partially the reason, and that’s something we need to work on. The early game was pretty smooth so everyone was a little bit off guard, which almost cost us the game.

To Rookie: After winning the LPL Spring playoffs, if you can also claim the MSI trophy, you will become the first player in League of Legends history to win all regional premier leagues and tournaments. How do you feel about that?

If I can make it, it’d be because of my awesome teammates, but I’d also give myself a round of applause. Going into MSI, everyone is tired because we didn’t have much time to rest. After today, we will go back to Chengdu to do some photoshoots — no breaks. So, let’s just do our best at MSI.

“Today, we showed what we are capable of: we don’t need someone to carry the team, nor do we need to play around certain player.” — Rookie



To Coach: Was the 3:0 sweep today a surprise to you?

I had a feeling that if we could take game 1 today, we would likely close this series with a 3-1 or 3-0 score. JDG fought all the way to the grand finals which gave us more time to study them.

To Rookie: You got targeted heavily in the early stage of game 3. And for a while, JDG had taken a firm control onto the game. How did you communicate with each other and secure the comeback?

It was a hard game for me personally, but then I saw my teammates weren’t behind in terms of farming so I knew we were still in the game if only we could drag it into late stage. We had some good initiations to nullify a few pushing attempts. Vladimir also stepped up which gave us some openings and that’s how we won. Although my personal experience of that game from pretty bad.

To Rookie: In your previous interview, you mentioned that you really wanted to claim an LPL title. So how are you feeling as the dream has come true?

Actually, I thought about this question earlier this morning: how would I feel if we could win this time? Will tears be shed? To be honest, maybe it was because I had a terrible game 3, I am not overwhelmed with special feelings after the win. However, today we showed what we are capable of: we don’t need someone to carry the team, nor do we need to play around certain player. We play together and the team synergy and chemistry are getting better and better. I hope we can achieve good results at MSI.

“After game 1, I knew that Zoom wouldn’t play too aggressively like he used to in the past. In general, I think Zoom and I both did what we were supposed to do in the games.” — TheShy

To Ning: In game 2 you picked Sejuani, but why did you keep invading Lee Sin’s jungle when you were on a farm-oriented champion like Sejuani?

Firstly, I had level advantage and also, during an early skirmish, Syndra came to help him and forced out my Flash, so I got a bit tilted and decided to go after him relentlessly.

To Rookie: What does this LPL trophy mean to you?

It’s really meaningful to me. Maybe in a few years, after I retire, I will still remember this championship. But for now I don’t feel as emotional as when I won Worlds. Maybe it’s because I’m pretty exhausted right now. I hope that in a few years, when I think of today, it will still be meaningful to me.

To coach: Why did you pick Rakan in game 1? This champion doesn’t seem to be very popular in the competitive scene?

Because at that moment, we felt Rakan would be a good pick. Also, our bottom lane are confident picking any champions even it’s just an impromptu pick.

“I got a bit tilted and decided to go after him relentlessly.” — Ning

To coach: The players looked pretty happy after winning game 1 and game 2. What did you say to them during the breaks?

In the first game, we picked Xayah and Rakan according to our original plan and we managed to win it as expected. So, we didn’t discuss anything in particular after game 1. Game 2 was kind of the same thing: we didn’t say anything special to the players. I just told them to not let their guard down.

To TheShy: In the last press conference, you said that seeing Zoom play makes you think you should train harder. Did you put extra attention in preparation for this game? And how did you find Zoom in this series?

I wasn’t worried about that too much because our coach had done a great preparation for today’s game. Also, after game 1, I knew that Zoom wouldn’t play too aggressively as he used to. In general, I think Zoom and I both did what we were supposed to do in the games.

To Coach: Since JDG defeated many strong teams and pulled out many upsets to make the finals, what special preparations did you make for today’s game?

They came all the way from the 8th place and played two full five-game series. During this period, we had plenty of time to prepare well.