LNG GALA: "No one can replace Scout or any of my teammates. Us five have been together for a long time, our teamwork is unmatched"

Chen "GALA" Wei along Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, AD Carry and Mid Laner for LNG Ninebot Esports at Worlds 2024, LPL representatives.

"It has been so long since I won internationally. I’m determined to seize the opportunity, give it my all, and do my best to lift the trophy."

With a convincing victory against the titans of Bilibili Gaming, LNG Ninebot Esports now stands at the top of the League of Legends 2024 Worlds standings. After defeating their nemesis, the team's AD Carry, Chen "GALA" Wei, took some time to discuss his team’s stunning results and share his expectations for the rest of the tournament, before addressing the recent travel ban that affected Scout ahead of the World Championship.

What does it mean for you to beat the reigning LPL champions and potentially establish yourselves as the best team from China?

Chen "GALA" Wei: "I think winning against BLG today gave us a big boost in morale and confidence. BLG is definitely a top-tier team, possibly number one or two in the world. I believe we prepared better for this match, but it’s hard to say if LNG is a great team yet. We’re still figuring out the patch and the meta, so right now it feels like any team can beat any other team. Moving forward, we need to improve our form and our understanding of the meta to perform even better in future games.

What does it mean for you to prove people wrong and show that LNG is one of the strongest teams at Worlds, especially after all the challenges, including Scout’s situation, leading up to the tournament?

GALA: Whether Scout could come or not would definitely have affected us. He’s a very strong player, and if he couldn't have been here, it wouldn't have been the same. The five of us have been working together for a long time, and our teamwork is better than anyone else's. We've been supporting Scout throughout this situation, and it’s important that we, as the five players who made it to the World Championship, stay together. Even if we lose, we face it as a team. No one can replace either Scout or any of my teammates effectively.

How important is it for you to have a strong run at Worlds after your struggles in the last two splits? Do you wish to redeem this difficult season here?

GALA: It has been so long since I won outside of China. Since winning the Mid-Season Invitational in 2022, I’ve been focused on proving myself again both locally and internationally. This time, at Worlds, I’m determined to seize the opportunity, give it my all, and do my best to lift the trophy. Winning an international championship is the ultimate goal for every professional player, and I’ll do everything I can to achieve that honor.

You've made it to the quarterfinals for the last three years but never made it past. What are you doing differently this year, and how motivated are you to break that curse?

GALA: I think my mentality has changed this year. I feel like I can play better than before, especially with my current team. I’m confident that both my teammates and I can achieve better results.

You've faced T1 twice in the quarterfinals and were defeated 0-3 both times. Do you have a particular desire for revenge against them, and are you hoping to face them again in this tournament?

GALA: I think T1 has always been a strong team on the international stage. Even though they are the 4th seed from the LCK, I still hold them in high regard, and I believe every team should be cautious when facing them. Last time, we lost 0-3 to them, so I hope we get the chance to take our revenge this time. If I have the chance to face off against T1, I will definitely take down their wings.

LNG Esports, getting on stage. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

You are very well known for your Kai'Sa, any chance we see her picked?

GALA: Many teams have picked Kai'Sa recently. In the current patch, Kai'Sa isn't the strongest champion, but she can still trade well and navigate the early game through lane swaps. She's definitely a pretty meta champion right now, so if the situation allows, I would like to pick her too.

Do you have any final words for your fans?

GALA: I want to thank my fans for their support, both domestic and international. Every time I see them cheering for me during a match, it makes me happier, and enjoy the game even more. I feel very lucky. They motivate me. Thank you so much."

Header Photo Credit: Jianhua Chen/Riot Games