The Piltover Post

With the 2025 World Championships underway, all eyes are on each region’s representatives to see how they match up against each other. After the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP)’s top-ranked team, CTBC Flying Oyster, defeated the five-time World Champions T1, there was a lot of online discussion about the region that had been overlooked. I got together with members of the North American community and we came up with a list of questions we wanted answered about the superstar team. Ben “Vestion” Meek sat down with new fans to discuss the Flying Oysters and what makes them and their region so special.

Q: Tell me about you. How your passion for LoL started, and how long you’ve been a caster. What draws you to the LCP, etc?

A: In Season 6, I coached an amateur team called Alpha Sydney Academy, which featured a player named ‘Shok.’ I’ve stayed loosely involved in the OCE LoL esports scene ever since, and in 2023, when Shok began casting the PCS, he reached out to me about joining as another caster – that’s how I found my way into this role.

The LCP as a league is incredible. The fans are unbelievably warm and supportive – they’ll cheer for any team representing the region at international events, regardless of which country that team comes from. The rivalries within the league feel more like those between brothers than enemies, which I love. It reflects the spirit of the region – competitive, passionate, but ultimately welcoming and united. That sense of community really aligns with how I try to approach the scene myself: being supportive of people and teams no matter where they come from.

Q: Did the team ever struggle during the regular season? And are there any pocket picks we should be looking out for?

A: CFO didn’t struggle during the regular season. Early in the year, there was a brief adjustment period as the team integrated their rookie player HongQ, but following MSI they were nearly flawless throughout the split.

In terms of pocket picks, there are a few standout choices to watch for. HongQ’s Swain into Galio, Driver’s Shen into Ambessa, and JunJia’s Zyra are all strong examples. They’ve been exceptionally dominant on these champions, and it’s been a genuine joy to watch those strategies unfold.

Q: For people who don’t watch LCP, how has CFO improved since the beginning of the split? I.E., 100 Thieves was a bottom 8 LTA North team at the start of the season, but made it to Worlds despite this. Do you think they can climb to the semifinals?

A: CFO have evolved significantly since MSI. JunJia is no longer required to provide as much early assistance to HongQ, giving him the freedom to take full control of the jungle. We saw an excellent example of this against T1, where JunJia completely outperformed Oner and created the space for Doggo’s Draven to safely receive all the resources he needed. This shift has made CFO a more consistent team, improved their drafting flexibility, and highlighted their collective strength rather than relying solely on individual talent.

Kaiwing, too, deserves credit – he’s clearly put in the work to expand what was once a fairly limited champion pool. At this point, he looks well-prepared to handle any challenge across a best-of-five series.

Q: Why do you think people keep underrating CFO, despite having proved themselves at First Stand and MSI as a team to watch?

A: I think this is a really easy question to answer, and that simply is that people haven’t watched or respected CFO or the LCP. I see a lot of people who would put CFO below G2 and FQ but as results have shown, even when at FST and HongQ was 2 months into his pro career we could take down LEC and LTA first seeds. They have continued to improve, HongQ has become more confident and people particularly in the west don’t watch them at all to see this.

I want to say this is not a complaint either, people are welcome to watch what they want in their free time. But I just really dislike seeing our region be disrespected all year round, when we show nothing but respect to everyone else.

Q: Given how the year has gone, are you surprised at the current showing of CFO at 2-0?

A: The 2-0 start, considering who CFO faced, isn’t surprising to me. I fully expected them to beat both FNC and T1 – even without factoring in the so-called ‘Worlds buff’ that T1 is known for. I do believe they can take down AL as well, though I think this will be their closest matchup so far. Their dominance over FNC and T1 wasn’t a fluke; they played those games with the same discipline and identity they’ve shown throughout the LCP season.

Q: Who do you think is the most underrated player on the team that could breakout as an international star at the World Championships?

A: It’s difficult to say anyone on this roster is underrated, but I do think Rest receives more criticism than he deserves. Many people still reference the MSI Game 5 against Doran’s Jayce as a reflection of his level, but to me, that was a drafting issue rather than a player issue. Rest was never the team’s designated Ornn player – that role was Driver’s. When Rest is in and you want a frontline, K’Sante is the champion for him. In that MSI game, he was put on a pick he hadn’t played all year and lost, which is understandable. I’m confident that when he takes the stage against AL tonight, people will be reminded just how good he really is.

Q: After this year, are you worried that the LCP might lose the players to larger regions? I know Doggo has done LPL before and returned.

A: I suppose there’s always a bit of concern, but realistically, any potential change would likely only involve a CFO player. The ‘C’ in CFO stands for CTBC Bank, and that backing carries real stability. Given how successful the team has been so far at Worlds, and the incredible support they’ve gained both locally and internationally (Shout out to Karmine Corp fans!) I truly believe the organization will continue to invest in this roster. Especially in HongQ, who stands on the verge of becoming the next legend of League with the trajectory he’s on right now.

Q: What do you wish people knew more about CFO and the LCP in general?

A: Honestly, I think the gameplay already speaks for itself. But what I really wish people knew is just how special the LCP community is – it’s full of some of the most genuine, passionate, and lovable personalities in all of LoL Esports. The players here pour their hearts into every game, and they aren’t afraid to show how much this all means to them. The LCP is a major region, and it deserves to be recognized as one. We’ve built something truly meaningful here – a scene that welcomes everyone with open arms, eager to share our stories, our teams, and our growth. Whether you’re new or familiar, we’ll catch you up, help you find your place among like-minded fans, and show you why this region — its orgs, players, and staff – is something worth believing in.