Yoo Sang-wook says he’s satisfied with the comeback despite a tough Game 1 pick-ban, and vows to review the match
Gen.G Esports moved one step closer to the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational after sweeping kt Rolster 3-0 in the fourth round of the Road to MSI at the Wonju DB Promy Arena in Gangwon-do on June 13. The victory sent Gen.G into the second-seed decider, where they will face T1 on June 14, with the winner earning Korea’s spot at MSI.
After the match, Head Coach Yoo Sang-wook said the result was a relief because the series carried major importance. He noted that Game 1 was the most difficult, but praised the team for recovering and closing out the match with strong execution. Top laner Kim “Kiin” Gi-in echoed that view, saying the opening game was challenging, but Gen.G responded well by winning teamfights even while playing from behind.
Yoo identified the pick-ban phase in Game 1 as one of the main reasons Gen.G struggled. He said the team plans to make adjustments before the T1 match. Asked whether kt Rolster’s unusual choices, including Lee Sin and Camille, created extra problems, Yoo said the overall draft structure was difficult to manage and needed further review, though he agreed those picks were tough to handle.
The coach also addressed the recent rise of Lissandra in the mid lane, saying the champion has become more relevant because of several buffs in recent patches. In the current meta, he said, Lissandra can be highly effective when paired with the right team composition.
Kiin was asked about Chovy’s ability to perform well in unfavorable matchups, such as Viktor versus Lissandra in Game 3. He said going even or even gaining an advantage in a difficult lane should not be seen as “bad data,” but rather as a sign of a player’s strength. According to Kiin, the value lies in being able to use such champions better than opponents can, especially when the team needs flexible options. He added that while those lanes would not normally be chosen, the ability to play them effectively is a major asset.
The discussion also turned to ranged top laners like Vayne, which have become less common after recent patch changes. Kiin said top laners are now more flexible in pick-ban, adapting to the situation rather than sticking to one style. He noted that although Vayne’s core items were nerfed, the champion still appears in bans at tournaments and may remain viable in certain situations.
Looking ahead to T1, Yoo said the team is known for moving organically around the map. Gen.G intends to prepare its own game plan while carefully tracking T1’s movement and macro play.
Both Yoo and Kiin emphasized the significance of the final match. Yoo said Gen.G will prepare thoroughly and fight for the fans who support the team, while Kiin said MSI is one of the most important goals of the year and vowed to do everything possible to help Gen.G advance.
