Busio was pissed off. With solely three weeks remaining within the shortened 2023 LCS Summer season Cut up, 100 Thieves had solely earned 4 victories, which have been reasonably shaky at finest—a worrying development for the group in the event that they wished to qualify for the LCS Championship bracket.
Regardless of every little thing he’d realized up to now in his rookie yr and the entire preparation he’d been placing in off-stage, the assist participant took this droop throughout the group personally. As a participant who had spent most of his younger profession because the chief inside his group, he struggled to seek out his voice when surrounded by veteran LCS expertise, making his performances extra stiff as he tried to regulate to sport plans that clashed along with his outlook of the sport.
However a path to the playoffs turned an actual risk for 100T within the remaining weeks of the cut up because the group appeared to deal with the communication points that made closing out profitable video games a troublesome feat. Busio’s mentality on stage started to shift, noting that he was as soon as extra capable of absolutely recognize his spot within the competitors—and have a enjoyable time doing so.
“Second cut up, clearly I had extra expectations for myself, however in the course of the season, I used to be enjoying so unhealthy,” Busio informed Dot Esports. “It kinda simply takes one sport the place I’m making good calls [to bounce back]… and making an attempt to have a bit extra enjoyable within the stage video games. [Those] are the chance to clearly win and compete, but in addition for being a bit extra free.”
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In a debut yr that began with an unexpected Azir support pick to a battle throughout the LCS Championship bracket, Busio appears to be like again on the final a number of months fondly. In comparison with the Spring Cut up, Busio felt his performances over the previous eight weeks and into the playoff bracket general have been a lot stronger, having taken the time to fully adjust to the pressures of the main stage. However he nonetheless didn’t really feel that he was assembly the expectations he had set for himself as one of many former-Academy scene’s most valuable prospects, highlighting the fixed grind wanted to really supply what he is aware of he can deliver as new blood throughout the LCS.
“I’m undoubtedly far more comfy [on stage], however in fact, there’s nonetheless enchancment,” Busio mentioned. “As I play extra, I’ll make higher calls, be extra of a pacesetter within the sport. However trying again at my first LCS sport, it’s like a thousand instances enchancment.”
Over the previous a number of years throughout the LCS, rookies have taken the chance to steal the highlight for themselves, with gamers like Jojopyun, Danny, Yeon, and Eyla stepping away from the Academy scene and onto the primary LCS stage, changing into notable favorites amongst followers for his or her fast success. Although the pool of rookies competing within the 2023 season was reasonably small, the dialog was ongoing concerning which of those debuting gamers would have the most important influence on the scene—each within the instant and much future.
Finally, it was decided that Workforce Liquid’s ADC Yeon had staked his declare as the most valuable rookie of the year, having stepped onto the LCS stage with an instantaneous fireplace that burned robust all year long. Busio wasn’t precisely stunned at this announcement, reasonably utilizing it as an extra rationalization to himself that he had a lot work that also wanted to be carried out within the infancy of his profession.
“I knew I had a reasonably unhealthy displaying this cut up, so if I obtained [rookie of the year], I’d be like ‘what? This doesn’t actually make sense,’” Busio joked. “The previous is the previous, it’s what it’s. Enhance and get MVP, not Most worthy rookie.”
But regardless of not strolling out of the Summer season Cut up with that achievement, Busio’s first yr within the LCS added a handful of extra accomplishments to what he achieved in his days in beginner and Academy play. Not solely did the assist participant qualify for and compete in each of this yr’s playoff brackets, however he efficiently carried out alongside two of the LCS’ most famous gamers, certainly one of which particularly selected to play with him—a undeniable fact that continues to drive Busio to be the perfect model of himself.
Trying again on the previous eight months, Busio maintains that he regrets nothing that occurred on stage, from the misplays to the tragic defeats, as they’ve all been experiences for him to be taught from. These act because the blueprints for the work the rookie assist participant is ready to place in over the approaching offseason and into the instant way forward for his LCS profession, as he’s sure what he confirmed the world this yr wasn’t all he’s able to.
“I put in most effort, however clearly the outcomes aren’t superb,” Busio mentioned. “I’ll have to consider it—how do I wanna change what I’m doing on a regular basis for subsequent season? However undoubtedly one thing has to alter, as a result of I really feel like I’m higher than what I’m displaying.”
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Presently, 100 Thieves has not but made any modifications to its present LCS roster, nor has it introduced any plans to take action within the close to future. However, as with each splits this yr, the group has proven it’s keen to make large overhauls when obligatory in an try and as soon as extra elevate that LCS trophy, one thing that has remained out of its grasp all yr.
This leaves Busio unsure about his instant future, although he’s set on persevering with his preparation properly into the offseason as somebody who has each but to quench his thirst for aggressive play and as a common enjoyer of the sport that has introduced him so many alternatives.
“After all, I’m nonetheless going to be enjoying solo queue, as a result of I simply get pleasure from enjoying League,” Busio mentioned. “I have to hold good habits, hold watching professional League when it’s on. I imply I don’t know what’s subsequent, we’ll see.”
The LCS Championship bracket will proceed into its remaining weekend on Aug. 19 and 20, the place Cloud9, NRG, and Workforce Liquid will compete for the title in Newark, New Jersey—with all three of those groups advancing to the World Championship in South Korea later this yr.
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