MidOne Explains How Team SMG Prepared for the TI10 SEA Qualifiers
SMG has never managed to bootcamp with all five players since star carry, Yeik "MidOne" Nai Zheng joined them in April 2021, probably due to the travel problems posed by the pandemic. Having to compete for a last-chance TI10 spot, all Team SMG players have now finally gathered together in Malaysia for a bootcamp. After the team’s recent 2-0 victory over Lilgun, MidOne spoke about how they prepared for the TI10 SEA Qualifiers. In addition, MidOne also spoke about how excited he was to play with Damien "kpii" Chok, the team’s offlaner and the only non-Malaysian member of the squad.
Following the 2-1 loss to TNC Predator in the upper bracket, Team SMG now had their qualifier survival on the line against Lilgun. It was a strong performance that helped them get a 2-0 victory.
In the post-match winner's interview that followed this win, MidOne discussed how his team had been preparing for this crucial TI10 SEA qualifier. He said they are in a bootcamp currently, and while the first few days were spent bonding, recently, they have shifted their focus more to games.
“Bootcamp for a month earlier and we played a lot for the last two weeks, not really earlier weeks. Earlier weeks are more like being together, jelling as a team because we shuffled our rosters a couple of times. Like we don’t know each other, some of them, especially Damien (kpii).”MidOne
Kpii, who hails from Australia, is yet to join MidOne and Co. in the bootcamp. He will be joining tomorrow and MidOne is looking forward to seeing him after such a long time of playing online.
“Kpii is outside right now, we couldn’t get him into Malaysia, it was hard, he wasn’t with us. But fortunately, we got him here, like tomorrow he will be with us, fortunately. Everything is going to be better, I would say, and hope that things are good. Yeah, that’s how we prepare.
I am looking forward to it. I can’t wait. It’s been too long. (on kpii back to bootcamp tomorrow)”
In today’s series, Lilgun challenged Team SMG in the first game with their iconic Lycan and Grimstroke combo. Although the game was highly competitive for a large part, Team SMG closed it out with the help of MidOne's flawless Lifestealer performance. The second game was much easier for Team SMG, as MidOne’s Medusa snowballed out of control, leading to a loss for Lilgun in 36 minutes.
SMG will face Execration in the TI10 SEA qualifier and look to continue their lower bracket run.
MidOne also had some insights for Team SMG fans on how he captains the team.
“I think in-game laning, it’s shared work in the team. My way of captaining is more like about mentality, most of it. And I would say 50% of in-game leading (is) not really me. I share with my teammates and I tell them that you have to just figure it out yourselves - what is the best way. Then I will step in as a third person usually and speak up my point and yeah, that’s how it works in the team right now.”MidOne
Previously, Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung was a member of Team SMG and he was reported to occupy some leadership roles alongside MidOne. In the second season of DPC, Mushi left the team and eventually joined TNC Predator as their coach.
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