FBI confident that Golden Guardians will be in the LCS playoffs

TL;DR

  • Golden Guardians secured unexpected 2-0 weekend with wins over 100 Thieves and OpTic Gaming
  • FBI overcame significant stage nerves through teammate support and experience
  • The bot lane partnership with Huhi creates mutual learning and strategic growth
  • Only one more victory needed to guarantee LCS playoff qualification
  • Academy background provided crucial foundation for LCS transition success

The Golden Guardians have dramatically improved their playoff positioning after completing a perfect weekend with consecutive victories. This impressive performance puts them in strong contention for postseason competition.

Most esports analysts predicted GGS would struggle against established teams like 100 Thieves and OpTic Gaming, yet they delivered two convincing wins. While these results surprised many in the League of Legends competitive scene, bot laner Ian Victor “FBI” Huang maintained unwavering belief in his team’s capabilities throughout.

WIN.gg conducted an exclusive interview with FBI discussing his rapid promotion from Academy competition and the psychological challenges of adapting to the main LCS stage environment.

How do you feel about the win over OpTic today?

FBI: It feels incredibly rewarding. We executed our strategies with the same precision we demonstrate during practice sessions. The entire squad operated comfortably, including myself personally. Securing this victory provides tremendous satisfaction for our organization.

What do you think helped you guys take the win?

We maintained strong conviction that securing our preferred champion selections would give us the competitive edge. OpTic assembled a formidable team composition that presented significant challenges during mid to late game phases.

Why were you feeling so confident going into the match?

I simply trusted in our collective abilities. Our actual skill level substantially exceeds public perception. Both Huhi and I haven’t fully demonstrated our capabilities in official matches yet. This likely stems from performance anxiety. However, we’ve accumulated substantial stage experience now and continue building comfort levels.

You were also able to defeat 100 Thieves yesterday. Huhi said that he was confident your team could take them on. What do you think helped you guys defeat 100 Thieves?

I felt extremely comfortable playing Ezreal due to extensive practice. I believed I could single-handedly influence the game outcome. However, the exceptional performance from my teammates meant I didn’t need to carry alone.

You joined Golden Guardians earlier this month. How did it feel to join the team in the middle of the LCS?

The pressure was immense initially. I experienced significant stress and performance anxiety. Multiple factors weighed heavily on my mindset. I questioned my readiness for LCS competition. The stage environment creates substantial nervous tension for any competitor.

However, my teammates facilitated an incredibly smooth adjustment process. Everyone demonstrated exceptional kindness and welcoming attitudes. I remain profoundly grateful for their supportive approach.

Do you feel those nerves affected your gameplay?

I experienced intense nervousness during the initial moments. Honestly, I anticipated feeling calm since I previously competed at MSI tournaments. But when I actually stepped onto the LCS stage, the atmosphere proved overwhelmingly intense. Once gameplay commenced, the anxiety subsided. Reviewing my communication and decision-making patterns revealed uncharacteristic behaviors that clearly resulted from performance pressure.

What do you like about playing with Huhi?

Collaborating with him has been tremendously beneficial. He brings substantial competitive experience and deep game knowledge. He’s provided extensive education about macro-level strategy. Meanwhile, I’ve shared knowledge about bot lane match-up dynamics. His skills have improved significantly and hopefully my strategic understanding has advanced as well. He maintains exceptionally positive attitudes and contributes substantially to team dynamics.

Do you feel your background on the Academy team has benefited you in your matches with the main roster?

Absolutely beneficial. Although my Academy tenure was relatively brief, the learning curve proved incredibly steep. The coaching staff demonstrated exceptional quality. Their guidance provided crucial game knowledge foundations. This preparation proved essential for LCS competition readiness and represented a significant developmental milestone.

Your former Academy teammate, Matthew “Deftly” Chen, is now on the Cloud9 Academy roster. How do you feel about facing them?

It creates mixed emotions honestly. I genuinely appreciated his friendship. He demonstrates wonderful personality traits. We frequently discussed bot lane strategic considerations. It would be exciting if they field Deftly so we could compete directly on the LCS platform. I sincerely hope he receives playing opportunities.

Are you confident that your team will make it to the playoffs?

I maintain strong confidence levels. Our upcoming schedule includes matches against Cloud9 and Clutch Gaming. Both organizations field strong rosters, but I believe we can secure victories. We require just one additional win to mathematically guarantee playoff qualification, so I feel extremely optimistic about our prospects.

You’ve only been playing LoL professionally for a little over two years. What is your favorite thing about playing professionally? How has your journey been?

My initial professional experience differed significantly from LCS competition. I had recently completed secondary education. Competing with Sin Gaming in Australia felt like collaborating with close friends. The atmosphere remained relaxed and enjoyable. However, transitioning to LCS introduced more structured professionalism. I’m determined to work diligently to validate my position within this competitive environment.

Action Checklist

  • Gradually acclimate to stage pressure through repeated exposure
  • Develop champion specialization with at least 2-3 comfort picks
  • Establish knowledge exchange partnerships with experienced teammates
  • Utilize Academy experience to build fundamental competitive skills
  • Maintain team chemistry through positive communication and mutual support

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