SKT’s New Roster Shows Promise in KeSPA Cup
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, SK Telecom T1’s mid laner, has been the face of the team since his debut almost six years ago. However, after a tough 2018 season, SKT decided to rebuild the team around Faker. The 2019 season hasn’t officially begun, but fans got a sneak peek at the new roster during the KeSPA Cup.
The early results are promising. SKT seems to have the talent and fresh blood needed to compete with the top Korean squads. It’s important to note that the KeSPA Cup is not a true measure of the top teams’ capabilities since they are more focused on experimenting rather than winning. However, SKT fans have reason to be excited as all five players have contributed to the team’s undefeated record in two matches.
Teddy Shines in the Bot Lane
While all the new signings have performed well, Park “Teddy” Jin-seong, the new marksman, stands out. Teddy has dominated the competition in every phase of the game. Although SKT has always been known as Faker’s team, Teddy’s performance in the KeSPA Cup suggests that the bot lane might carry the team going forward.
Playing to Teddy’s Strengths
Teddy’s partnership with support Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong has brought a new level of aggression to SKT’s bot lane. Mata’s playmaking abilities have complemented Teddy’s skills, resulting in increased lane pressure. This is a welcome development for SKT, as they’ve typically relied on the bot lane for late game fights. Teddy believes there is still room for improvement.
Strength in the Solo Lanes
SKT’s strong bot lane pressure has allowed them to approach the solo lanes differently. Faker and top laner Kim “Khan” Dong-ha have adapted to their roles and played their matchups correctly. This strategy has been effective so far, as Khan and Faker have not needed to carry the team thanks to Teddy’s outstanding performance.
Unanswered Questions in the Jungle
The jungle is where things get interesting for SKT. While they signed two talented junglers, Kim “Clid” Tae-min and Kang “Haru” Min-seung, it has been Clid who has taken the Rift in the KeSPA Cup. Clid’s aggressive playstyle may not align with SKT’s vision-centric approach. It remains to be seen if the team can find a balance between teaching Clid and Haru the SKT style while allowing them to showcase their individual strengths. The KeSPA Cup playoffs will provide further insight into SKT’s progress.