Team Secret Whales arrive at MSI 2026 still carrying the pressure of a region trying to establish itself internationally. Each tournament has been a lesson in how far — and how close — they are to the world’s best teams, and at this MSI TSW looks to cement the LCP reputation as a region not to underestimate.
In an interview with
Sheep Esports,
talks about his evolution since First Stand, the importance of mentality within a young roster, and what it means to represent the youngest generation of LCP talent on one of the biggest stages in League of Legends.
You're back at the international stage. What is the biggest difference between the Hizto that played at First Stand and the Hizto that arrives at MSI?
Lê "Hizto" Văn Hoàng Hải: “So actually after First Stand we have been thinking about ourselves a lot. And for this MSI I promised to myself that we will prove that we are strong teams and we are good players. We will do our best to showcase that.
You said you wanted more games against the world's best teams because that's where you learn the fastest. What is something that you've worked on specifically since First Stand?
Hizto: So actually the last time we play against G2 from LEC and the BFX from LCK and they are really strong team in the region at that times. And then after the tournament, we have coming back and look into ourselves again and then we learn from the mistake. So I really hope that this event we can prove ourselves.
I had an interview with your coach earlier today and he talked about how it's important for you and your team to have a strong mentality. Can you tell me your perspective on this and how you and your team work on having strong mental fortitude ahead of MSI?
Hizto: So actually after every big international event, we sit together and discuss how can we do it better and how can we improve ourselves? And then eventually every players will come back to their own personals and working on their own so that they can help a better prepare for the next tournaments. And for this MSI specifically, we believe that we have trained ourselves better and we have a stronger mentality, so we believe that we can do it better this time.
Someone mentioned how the LCP is constantly losing its best players who perform internationally to bigger regions for different reasons. Do you feel there should be any restrictions? Do you feel you would be more willing to play for another region if you were to get that offer or would you want to stay in your region and perform well for your region?
Hizto: So actually I think that for all the players who playing really well is actually fair for them to want to play more, to do more, to conquer more. And then for myself, I think that if I have a chance and if I could play in a bigger league, I could join a bigger tournament, and then I could fulfil my dreams, then I would do that.
If someone watches Team Secret Wales for the first time at MSI, what do you hope they'll remember about your team?
Hizto: So now and always, I always hope that our fans will always cheers and support first no matter who you are and no matter who we are. So please cheers and support for TSW.”
