TSM's Neo Reflects on Competitive Comeback and Rivalry with Dignitas

TSM has shattered expectations in the 2023 League Championship Series Spring Split, currently holding a 5-4 record and tied for fourth place with Golden Guardians. This comes as a surprise for a team initially considered a bottom contender. Their recent triumph over the previously undefeated FlyQuest highlighted a turning point for the squad.

After a rocky start this week, where they lost to Golden Guardians, TSM reversed their fortune in a thrilling match against FlyQuest. Surprising many, they managed to pull off a victory despite FlyQuest's dominant performance throughout the first half of the split. The match was anything but smooth, beginning with TSM conceding First Blood within the first minute. “We didn’t expect the level 1,” said TSM’s AD carry Toàn “Neo” Trần, reflecting on the chaotic start.

Despite the initial setback, TSM adjusted their strategy, focusing on maintaining equilibrium in the mid-game. Neo emphasized their game plan of stacking dragons, believing that securing the first three would almost guarantee victory. Although they didn’t manage to achieve that goal, TSM eventually gained control after taking the third dragon, although it took them nearly ten additional minutes to close out the match.

One notable performance came from FlyQuest's AD carry, Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan, who is proving to be a contender for MVP. Despite being outmatched early in the bot lane, Prince showcased his skills on Jinx, trying to keep FlyQuest competitive with impressive kills and farming.

Nevertheless, Neo held his ground, approaching the game with a mentality focused on his style of play rather than being intimidated by Prince’s accolades from the LCK. “I just played my game the way I always do and made sure not to be afraid of him just because he’s a big name,” he remarked.

This victory represented a significant personal milestone for Neo, who faced a challenging past year with Dignitas, where he was relegated to their Academy team despite a strong track record. Reflecting on his demotion, he said he viewed it as an opportunity to improve his gameplay with the hopes of making stronger plays in the next year. “When they put me in Academy, I just thought that I needed to do better in Academy so that the next year, I will have more looks at LCS offers,” Neo recalled.

When Neo decided to explore opportunities outside of Dignitas, TSM acted quickly, reaching out just two hours after he posted on Twitter about seeking a new team. “TSM just DM’d me when I posted on Twitter that I was looking for a team in the LCS,” he explained. This swift response indicates TSM's confidence in Neo's capabilities and their ambitions for the season.

Hello everyone! As of Today Im allow to explore my options! Looking for LCS/Academy spot! I know for sure I can do better next year!!And Shout out to @dignitas and Toby It was good 2 year and half and appreciate it!
DM are open! Discord:Neo#3384
(RT and Like) Thank you everyone!

— Neo (@ukpneo) October 6, 2022

Looking ahead, Neo's next match against Dignitas will be particularly significant, marking his first encounter with his former team. He’s not shy about his intentions: “I want revenge. They put me down into Academy and I don’t think their AD carry is that good. I’m not going to be scared of him.” TSM managed to secure a victory over Dignitas, further boosting their standing as they pursue a spot in the playoffs.

With Neo’s rising confidence and solid performances, TSM's prospects in the LCS Spring Playoffs look promising, though challenges remain. The blend of Neo’s determination and TSM’s momentum could prove pivotal in their quest for the title.