Look Sports Media – As the LEC regular season hurtles towards its thrilling conclusion, SK Gaming finds itself in a precarious position, battling fiercely for a playoff spot. The landscape of the LEC Versus Playoffs race has tightened dramatically, with unexpected upsets, particularly from Los Ratones, making every match critical. Currently holding a 3-6 record, SK Gaming is teetering on the edge, with only Karmine Corp Blue definitively out of contention. Their recent encounter against the formidable GIANTX perfectly encapsulated their struggles, as a significant gold lead was agonizingly surrendered due to misplayed team fights.
In an exclusive post-match interview with looksports.media, SK Gaming’s rookie ADC, Josip "Jopa" Čančar, offered a candid reflection on the team’s performance and their aspirations amidst this high-stakes environment.
Reflecting on the GIANTX Heartbreak
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Jopa acknowledged the initial strength of their game against GIANTX, particularly after securing an ace during a crucial Herald fight that swung the gold in their favor. "I think it was a pretty even game until the Herald fight, where we aced them, which gave us the gold swing and control of the game," Jopa explained. The strategy was clear: control the map and stack Drakes. However, the execution faltered. "We just misplayed the fights later, we did not fight on our terms," he admitted, highlighting the team’s inability to capitalize on their advantage.
The LEC Gauntlet: A Rookie’s Perspective
The transition from ERLs to the LEC is often described as a brutal awakening, where mistakes are punished with unforgiving efficiency. Jopa, however, found the leap less daunting than anticipated. "I think the transition was nothing too scary, nothing too big, like from ERLs to LEC," he stated, while conceding that "for sure the teams and players are better and you get punished more." Despite the increased pressure, Jopa feels he’s adapting well: "it’s not like I’m in complete shock by what they’re doing. So I think I still have the hang of it."
Unpacking the Taric Surprise
One of the most talked-about moments from the GIANTX match was the unexpected Taric support pick, which undeniably created significant problems for their opponents. Jopa shed light on the spontaneity of the decision. "It’s always hard to predict 4-5, what are you going to play in draft," he noted, explaining that the final support pick often depends on bans and the evolving draft. In this instance, it was a trust-based call. "Miky just saw a good angle for Taric and we were like, okay, we trust you. If you think it’s a good Taric game, go for it." Despite Miky’s strong performance on the champion, Jopa lamented the ultimate loss.
Forging a Team Identity
SK Gaming’s journey this season has been one of evolution, with Jopa observing a significant shift in their collective approach. "I think we were a bit lost in team identity at the beginning or like not lost, but just weren’t quite sure in what direction we wanted to go," he revealed. However, recent weeks have seen a clearer path emerge. "I think now we’ve cleared up more in terms of champions and now we’re just getting a better understanding of how we want to play the mid game." This includes refining rotations, jungle-support synergy, and individual roles. "Just getting on the same page, I think it’s been much better this week than last week."
A Voice in the "Retirement Home"
Despite playful jabs about being on a team of "uncs" or veterans, Jopa confirmed that his rookie status doesn’t diminish his voice in comms. "I think I have a lot of space and room to talk in the comms," he affirmed. "It’s not like, I’m a rookie so nobody listens to things I say. I think it’s just like a normal team environment." His synergy with veteran support Mikyx has been a key focus, with countless games played together. Their efforts have centered on understanding champion matchups and anticipating each other’s moves in the bot lane.
The Missing Pieces for Playoff Success
While acknowledging improvements, Jopa didn’t shy away from identifying SK Gaming’s remaining hurdles. "I think we need to fix our early games. It’s like sometimes we have a decent early game, sometimes we get stomped." Beyond the early game, the mid-game shotcalling and strategic planning remain crucial areas for refinement. "Just talking, making plans. How do we want to fight? How do we want to do on side lane? What do we need? Just talking about plans and making sure everyone is on the same page and understands each other."
Individual Drive Amidst Team Struggles
Despite individual highlights, including a memorable pentakill, Jopa remains critical of his own performance. "Honestly, I’m not the happiest with what I’ve shown. I mean, I know I can do much better." The current team record is a source of dissatisfaction, fueling his desire to "do better and get some wins for the team." He also offered insights into playing against GIANTX’s highly-rated bot lane of Noah and Jun, praising their "stable lane" and "pretty well" executed level one.
The Road Ahead: Los Ratones and Playoff Hopes
With only two games remaining, including a critical matchup against the surging Los Ratones, SK Gaming’s playoff destiny hangs in the balance. Jopa holds a healthy respect for their upcoming opponents. "I think they’re better than what people think," he stated, highlighting their "pretty decent" play around Drakes and strong late-game team fighting. While acknowledging their early-game vulnerabilities, Jopa sees Los Ratones as a formidable challenge.
Despite the current scoreline, Jopa’s confidence in SK Gaming’s playoff potential remains unshaken. "Yeah, that’s the goal. I’m still confident we can win these games," he asserted. The focus now is on learning from their recent matches, polishing their gameplay, and returning "strong next week" to secure the crucial 2-0 finish needed to keep their playoff dreams alive.
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