The fifth day of the round of 16 streamed live from OGN's studio featured Mini vs Mong, JangBi vs PianO, Snow vs sSak and Larva vs Last in the fifth matches of each of the four groups.
Your thoughts on advancing to the round of 8 with three matches won?
I'm not very happy about advancing first. I didn't want to meet a Zerg in the next round but the Zergs advaced from second place so I may play one. It's been a long time since I played PvZ so I'm not confident in the match-up.
You played well starting with the early game.
I thought I played horribly today. I thought my opponent would advance with his advantage and then I lost carriers to cloaked wraiths as well.
Did you maybe recover your senses after losing the carriers?
I thought I had to take the initiative with my speed shuttle.
You are rumoured to be the number one player on ladder.
It's not the case now but I was first the past two seasons. Bisu is first now.
There are only two Zergs. Do both make you feel uncomfortable?
The maps for these competitions are okay against Terran but not so against Zergs. All but Fighting Spirit feel awkward.
Do you think you'll be able to win the league?
I am confident in my ability but I think I'll need luck to be on my side as well.
What is your motivation for the round of 8?
I always used to get eliminated in the round of 8 so this time I want to win for sure.
Source: DES
The chances of you making round of 8 increased.
I'm happy about that. I wanted to help Mind with practice but if he loses on Monday we'll have to be playing each other so it's uncertain. I should've won all three games.
Your strategy worked out great.
Most players think I don't use strategies like the DT drop. I tried to take advantage of that.
You secured the win with the DTs.
I spotted the dropship with my shuttle. I thought I had won but losing one of my DTs to a mine I was startled.
What went through your head when you spotted the science vessel?
I almost fell off my chair. Making DTs as a follow-up, I was taken aback seeing the vessel. So I cancelled the two templars.
The word is you look like the singer Moon Hee-jun. What's your opinion on that?
I don't know. I wanted to play around after retiring and resting I gained a lot of weight. Moon Hee-jun is a celebrity so I dunno why it should be an insult. Moon Hee-jun may not feel bad about it.
T/N: MHJ = + Show Spoiler +
Anything you want to say?
I went to watch free's stream yesterday and the first thing he said to me was: "Jangbi, lose your game!" So when monday comes I want to tell free the same thing. free needs to lose his game so that there are no tiebreakers. I wish to advance cleanly.
Source: DES
With two wins and a single loss your chances of advancing are high.
Originally I wanted to advance with three wins but right now I'm thinking that I'll have to be thankful if I make it out of tiebreakers.
Why is it so?
At first I was very confident but the more games I played the more nervous I was feeling. The tension is heavy, too.
Are you maybe confident in your skills but not so much when it comes to broadcasted games?
I used to think so but when it came to the real deal, I got nervous. So I'm practising hard now.
Your preformance today was good.
I was able to cope with everything so it turned out well.
How did you prepare for today's game?
Firstly, I always loved reavers and carriers. While practising I arrived to the conclusion that by mixing in arbiters I can throw off the Terran.
How will the remaining games unfold?
I think there will be tiebreakers. I'm preparing hard for that.
Any matchup or opponent you want to avoid in future games?
I'm considered to be a weak PvZer but I feel like rather it's PvP that's difficult.
Your goals?
I have to get to the semifinals no matter what. If possible, I want to win the league too.
Anything you want to say?
Preparing for this Starleague I practised with many people. I am thankful to Ample aka Reaper Terran and Major. Major started streaming so I hope you watch his stream a lot.
Source: DES
Thoughts on advancing to the round of 8?
It was either advance or get eliminated today so I worried a lot before the game. I'm excited to go into the next round. I think I won't worry so much and be able to do well in the future.
Your forward barracks could have cost you.
I play Larva often so we know each others' styles. So I thought the likelihood of cheesy play was high. I don't use this kind of strategy very often so I thought I'd go with it.
The Zerg opted to fight back only with the resources in his main base.
Larva abandoned his natural tidily and tried going mutalisks on his one base so he had to make them worth their cost.. this kind of situation didn't come up in practice. I shut down his natural and took my own. In my practice I was ready for the attack on the natural both failing and succeeding and prepared for other possible scenarios.
How will you prepare for the next round?
In the round of 16 I played strategically, so for the next round I'll have to work on my mechanics I think. Since it's a best of format I'll have to prepare that much harder. I am confident.
How is playing in a Brood War starleague after such a long time?
It's been a long time since OGN hosted a starleague. It's just a few years since I returned to play in a broadcasted match so I was reminded of many memories. I like the moments when I played the game the best.
Your goals?
Winning is the goal but I'll go into each match with the mindset of doing my best.
Anything you want to add?
I want to thank the ex-OZ trainee Star for helping me practise.
Source: DES
Original interviews by Daily eSports journalist 남윤성 Nam Yoon Seong - thenam@dailyesports.com
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