FLY Spica on C9 loss: “We just got f—ing destroyed”

Following FlyQuest’s decisive 0-3 defeat against Cloud9 in the LCS 2023 Spring Split playoffs upper bracket, we sat down with jungler Mingyi “Spica” Lu for an exclusive post-match interview.

The one-sided nature of the series prompted a candid conversation about team performance, evolving jungle strategies, Mid-Season Invitational qualification prospects, and recovery plans for the lower bracket. Spica offered unfiltered insights ranging from strategic assessments to personal reflections on the team’s current state.

WIN.gg: We’re coming off of a 3-0 sweep by Cloud9, how are you feeling about the series and why do you think it went the way that it did?

Cloud9 demonstrated clear superiority throughout the series. Our performance fell significantly below expectations based on our team’s potential and standard play level. Multiple critical issues require immediate attention before our next match.

The initial two games featured exceptionally challenging draft compositions that limited our strategic options. While our game three draft showed marked improvement, our mental preparation and focus weren’t adequate following the previous losses. The team experienced noticeable tilt after the first two defeats, disrupting our ability to approach each game as an independent Bo1 scenario. Ultimately, we failed to secure victories in any of the three matches.

You managed to go 1-1 with Cloud9 in the regular split, but this series was a sweep. Was it the difficult drafts you mentioned, changes in the meta, or something else that made this much tougher for you?

During the regular season, we maintained excellent meta comprehension, particularly during early phases. Our gameplay execution felt streamlined with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

Current meta conditions have become substantially more complex and variable. Teams now face numerous viable options across most positions, creating strategic uncertainty. We’re currently struggling to identify our team’s core strengths while adapting to the expanded champion viability. The jungle role specifically presents limitations compared to other positions’ flexibility.

You’re mentioning not feeling as tuned into your team’s strengths in this series. In the regular season we saw you as a relatively active early-game jungler, but we saw lots of tanky picks in this series. How do you feel about that style of play?

I maintain comfort playing tank champions, having utilized Maokai extensively during regular season play. I also gained experience with Sejuani and Wukong across multiple matches.

Jungle dynamics have fundamentally shifted away from constant ganking patterns. Modern jungle play requires careful resource management and precise timing decisions rather than continuous lane pressure. Our draft strategies lacked early game initiative compared to Cloud9’s approach. Games one and two featured compositions that proved exceptionally difficult to execute successfully.

Do you feel like the meta is leaning toward these tankier, more farm-focused picks? We’re still seeing some priority on early-game fighters in other regions, like the KT Rolster vs T1 series. Why do you think we saw more focus on these tanks this series?

Draft sequencing played a significant role, with Cloud9 banning two jungle champions in the opening game. Vi has been consistently banned against me throughout playoffs despite being a preferred pick. The current jungle meta feels particularly stagnant with limited champion diversity.

Meta champions currently dominate the viable pool: Maokai, Sejuani, Wukong, and Vi represent the primary options. Alternative picks like Lee Sin or Viego remain situational choices requiring specific team compositions to succeed.

You’re heading down into the lower bracket, where we’ve seen 100 Thieves and Counter Logic Gaming, third and fourth place in the regular split, eliminated. What are your thoughts on the developments in the lower bracket?

Regular season standings often provide misleading indicators of team strength. While 100 Thieves secured third position, their strategic depth and gameplay quality didn’t match that ranking.

Counter Logic Gaming demonstrated consistency during regular season play but lacks the capability to challenge top-tier teams. Evil Geniuses possesses legitimate talent and potential for deep playoff runs.

You’ll be playing the winner of Golden Guardians vs Evil Geniuses. Do you have any thoughts on who you think will win and how confident are you in your possible matchups?

Evil Geniuses should emerge victorious based on superior player quality, though my predictions historically haven’t been reliable. We match exceptionally well against Golden Guardians’ playstyle, providing confidence for that potential matchup. Ideally, EG secures the victory in their series.

Whoever you face in your next match, the winner will be headed to MSI thanks to the new seeding. Are you looking towards MSI as a goal, and what do you think of the new format?

Making MSI declarations feels premature following such a decisive defeat. Our immediate focus must center on winning the next match before considering international competition.

The revised MSI format featuring two qualifying teams enhances tournament excitement and diversity. Traditional MSI structures received criticism compared to Worlds format due to limited team representation. The expanded format should provide better viewing experiences and player development opportunities.

If you do win your next match and make your way to finals to face Cloud9 again, what do you hope to change and be able to showcase in the rematch?

Our draft preparation requires significant improvement for potential finals rematches. Fundamentally, we need elevated performance levels and improved team coordination. This series lacked competitive integrity from a spectator perspective. Our gameplay quality must improve substantially to create compelling matchups.

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