Despite falling 0-3 to KT Rolster in the quarterfinals, CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) made history at the 2025 League of Legends World Championship. They are the first LCP team to reach the Worlds playoffs since 2015, and in the process of writing history they also conquered the hearts of millions of new fans.
In an interview with Sheep Esports, CFO’s veteran toplaner Hsu "Rest" Shih-Chieh shared his thoughts on the series, reflected on the team’s journey, and expressed pride in helping push his region to new heights on the international stage.
Can you give me your unfiltered thoughts about the match?
Hsu "Rest" Shih-Chieh: I feel a little bit empty right now. It was a best of five, but the match started at 3pm and then it already concluded at 5pm. So I just feel like it's a little lame.
How did you work with your team to decide which games you would play?
Rest: Usually we let Driver (Shen Tsung-Hua) take the first game because he's more familiar with that kind of matchup. And then the later on games, games two and three, it would usually be me because I am better at handling those matchups.
How did you feel about your K’Sante and Rek’Sai games?
Rest: I feel like I struggled a little bit in the second game because we kind of started off at the disadvantage in lane, but in the third game I actually felt like I did decent because matching up Rek’Sai against Sion is actually something I am very familiar with. So I thought that game was okay.
Despite the results today, you and your team achieved a historic run for your region. What are you most proud of from this journey at Worlds 2025?
Rest: I think I'm the most proud of the fact that I was able to actually play Rek’Sai in these games. When playing within our region, our region’s leagues, we don't have that many games where we could pull something off like this. So I'm really happy and really glad that I was able to play Rek’Sai multiple times on the international stage.
You've been playing for almost 10 years in the pro scene. What is one thing that you believe you have improved the most and which helped you perform well at Worlds?
Rest: I think I've actually improved a lot outside of getting inside the game. In terms of gameplay, I think I improved a lot in game comps. Before, when I started playing as a pro, I barely communicated with my teammates during games. On top of that, I'm a toplaner, so I'm kind of closed off, but I've gradually learned how to communicate with my teammates a little more and talk a little more during games.
Outside of that, after these games, whenever we have a meeting or we discuss what we did well, where we could have done better, I also used to kind of not participate in these discussions. I kind of just reviewed these contents on my own. But recently or right now I've started to participate in these discussions a lot more with my teammates.
Would you be comfortable sharing the exercises or the people that helped you improve in your communications?
Rest: So I previously was part of a team called J Team. I think transitioning from that team over to CFO has taught me a lot because the CFO staff has kind of encouraged me to speak up a little more and share my thoughts, overall just be more comfortable speaking up my mind. So I think it really is because of that transition and because of the CFO staff that I have improved.
The theme for these Worlds is “Earn Your Legacy.” What is the legacy that you feel you've left behind at Worlds?
Rest: I feel like the fact that our team made quarterfinals is a piece of history already. We've made history already. Although I really don't think that's something to be bragging about, I think we've already kind of broken the record that our region has always had. So in my opinion, I think it would be that.
For the anthem this year, the title is “Sacrifice.” What have you personally, not only as a player but as a person, sacrificed to be here at Worlds today?
Rest: I think the Worlds anthem this year is pretty suitable for us toplaners. I think there's a lot of occasions where it's the toplaner making sacrifices in the game.
Header Photo Credit: Christian Betancourt/Riot Games
