Can KaBuM Redeem Itself at MSI 2018?
When it comes to League of Legends international events, only a handful of teams from minor regions have managed to make a mark. GIGABYTE Marines from Vietnam and Albus NoX Luna from Russia are a couple of examples. However, Brazil’s KaBuM! e-Sports had their moment in the spotlight in 2014 when they took a win from Alliance at Worlds, sealing the fate of the European team. Now, with their return to the international stage at the 2018 Mid-Season Invitational, KaBuM aims to prove that Brazil has more to offer.
Clawing Back Up
After their exceptional performance in 2014, KaBuM fell from grace and struggled in the Brazilian CBLoL splits. However, they managed to regain their position as one of the best teams in Brazil by defeating Vivo Keyd in the finals. This victory earned them a spot at MSI, where they have a chance to redeem themselves. It’s been a four-year journey, and there’s significant pressure on KaBuM to deliver.
Backs Against the Wall
Despite the hype surrounding KaBuM, their group in the play-in stage is challenging. They’ll have to compete against Turkey’s BAUSuperMassive eSports and Dire Wolves from Oceania. Dire Wolves have been dominating the OPL for the past three splits and have extensive experience in international events. To secure their redemption, KaBuM must surpass these formidable opponents.
One player to look out for is ADC Alexandre “TitaN” Lima dos Santos, who has been performing exceptionally well and is considered one of the region’s best. While his champion pool may be limited, he has proven that he can excel on aggressive marksmen like Tristana, Kalista, and Caitlyn. Although he may be easier to target-ban now that Tristana is weaker in the meta, TitaN has also shown competence on more passive champions like Ezreal.
Most of KaBuM’s roster is young and inexperienced, but this might be what they need. Despite having experienced players in the past, the team struggled for years. It’s the untapped potential and aggression of this young roster that has brought them back to the forefront.
Will KaBuM find a miracle at MSI? Keep an eye on their matches during play-ins on May 4 and May 6 to find out.
KaBuM, League of Legends, MSI 2018, esports, redemption, play-ins, ADC, TitaN