Buzz
(Motherland) - After 6 years of professional Mobile Legends competition, Saigon Phantom's dream of international championship remains unfulfilled.
APL 2022 continues to be an incomplete journey for Saigon Phantom and its fans. The 'Saigon Ghosts' halted at the runner-up position after a 1-4 defeat against Bacon Time in the finals. Saigon Phantom's dream of international glory once again hangs in the balance. Throughout 6 years of Mobile Legends competition, Saigon Phantom has clinched the national title 5 times, yet has never reached the pinnacle of international success.
The runner-up position in APL 2022 leaves Saigon Phantom somewhat rueful. Lai Bang expresses disappointment for not delivering a better performance in the decisive match against Bacon Time.
But from the fans' perspective, Saigon Phantom has had a successful tournament with admirable competitive spirit. Bang and his teammates descended into the loser's bracket early on and fought their way to the grand finals. Many doubted Saigon Phantom would survive early elimination when facing heavyweight opponents like MAD Team, V Gaming, Buriram United Esports, and Bikertopia Esports.
However, after everything, Saigon Phantom has showcased resilience and secured a spot in the ultimate showdown. Their journey up the tower has been enough to satisfy and instill pride in the fans. Nevertheless, the price paid is the need to play more matches than the opponents and the absence of surprise strategies. Two consecutive days saw Saigon Phantom clash with 3 top international Mobile Legends teams.
Despite facing a formidable opponent, Bacon Time, Saigon Phantom managed to display remarkable resilience. Their journey through the playoffs, defeating Flash Wolves, V Gaming, and Bikertopia Esports, showcases their determination and skill.
Disappointed? Perhaps. But Saigon Phantom harbors no regrets. They gave their all against a strong adversary. Their performance throughout 2022 was anything but easy.
Starting with a championship win in the Spring 2022 DVTC, Saigon Phantom had high expectations. However, losing the gold medal at SEA Games 31 and bowing out in the quarterfinals of AIC 2022 invited significant criticism upon the young team.
Internally, SGP faced instability with Yiwei's unexpected departure. Post AIC 2022, HLV Titan and Jiro joined Saigon Phantom, both relatively unknown. Despite concerns from fans, both individuals, having previously played for FAP Esports, swiftly dispelled doubts by leading SGP to victory in the Winter 2022 DVTC, following their triumph over international champions, V Gaming.
While Bacon Time maintains their peak performance, Saigon Phantom continues to evolve. Jiro, proving himself to be a wise choice post his championship win in Spring 2022 DVTC, has transformed from a player criticized by Lai Bâng during a livestream to an integral part of the team. Jiro's confident playstyle has contributed to Saigon Phantom's numerous victories. As for HLV Jiro, his presence has led to a more diverse gameplay approach for Saigon Phantom.
Saigon Phantom's lineup has only been competing together for just half a year. These young players have shown resilience and passion at APL 2022. Saigon Phantom will only fail when they stop. They have the potential to achieve even greater success and reach for international championship titles in the future.
