Despite qualifying for Worlds with a negative winrate throughout the LEC season, rookie-filled MAD Lions KOI have now booked their place in the main event’ Swiss stage. After beating PSG Talon 2-1 to qualify, we spoke with MDK’s enigmatic top laner Alex “Myrwn” Pastor.
Esports.net: How happy are you to have secured a spot in the Swiss stage?
Myrwn: Of course I’m really happy. First time at Worlds and we make it to the Swiss stage, so, yeah, I’m really happy.
Lee Jones: PSG were generally considered the strongest team at Play-Ins.
Was it a statement to qualify against them too?
Myrwn: Yes, we also considered that, if we are not the best team in Play-Ins, it was them. So having to play into them for a qualifying spot and beating them, it feels super good.
Lee Jones: Your top lane opponent Azhi is known for having Udyr as a pocket pick.
Was it still a bit of a surprise to see him use it it in the first game today?
Myrwn: Yes, because I consider Udyr to be not the best champion. I think his only viable build is actually building AP with Liandry’s, going tank makes actually you super weak and only be kind of an HP champion that is a bit annoying. And I think to do that, there are way better champions.
Image credit: Riot Games
Lee Jones: Up until picking Aurora in game three, you hadn’t yet brought out any odd champions so far at the tournament.
Do you feel a bit of pressure to keep up appearances and bring out the occasional curveball pick as it’s sort of become your reputation?
Myrwn: No, the Aurora was mostly because it’s flex for them and I’m confident. So the thing is, if we don’t first pick or ban it, they will pick it, one/two and flex it. So it’s just a strong champion that works for us, so we just take it and enjoy the win.
Were you at all familiar with the matchup into Corki? I can’t imagine it’s one that you get to practice often.
Myrwn:I wasn’t expecting the Corki damage level one basically, but I think once I got a bit more control on the lane, I was way more comfortable. Until I got killed the second time, then I was really behind. But I think unless he trades and you throw the trade like level one or two, I think you are really fine. So if I play it again, I’m pretty sure I will do way better and win the lane.
How tense was it in game two once the realization sunk in that Elyoya hadn’t bought items?
Myrwn:I don’t care. I just think it’s a funny moment. It can happen to everyone, it’s a mistake. We are humans in the end. I think it is better that it happens here in Play-Ins when we are 1-0 in the series, it doesn’t matter if we lose. So, yeah, it is better than happens here than in Swiss when it’s a deciding match.
Lee Jones: Heading into Swiss and the potential top lane opponents start to look a lot scarier. In Round one you’ll be against either Doran, Bin, or Bwipo.
Which one are you hoping for?
Myrwn:I don’t really care. I really want to play all three of them. So whoever comes, comes. My favourite is Bin.
Lee Jones: I must ask about the Bwipo situation from before the tournament began.
Image credit: Riot Games
What did you make of his thoughts on your Nidalee?
Myrwn: I just find it funny what he said about the Nidalee. I think the things he was saying, I don’t think they are true. So it’s just that. But I mean, I don’t really care. I just think it was funny. In our team, we just laugh at it.
Now when I play Nidalee, I do one mistake and Elyoyas says: “If Bwipo sees that I think you are f*****”. Then he plays Nidalee, he does a mistake, I say the same thing. So it’s fun.
He made it for content. I understand it. He got some likes with that. It’s fine.
Surely you’ve got to play it now then if you face him?
Yeah, I wish I can play Nidalee into them. I hope they don’t ban it and they are not scared or use that.
Lee Jones: There was a follow-up stream where he said he had privately apologised to people he felt he owed an apology to.
Has he been in contact with you at all?
Myrwn: No, he didn’t apologise. I think the things he said, he doesn’t need to apologise. It’s no big drama, it’s just normal. He didn’t say anything crazy, you know, or anything like disrespectful to me. I think it’s fine.
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