Cheon Bo-Young (CBY): Hello everyone! First to advance in today’s group, Piano! Hello Piano!
Piano: Hello!
CBY: It was a real intense TvT today. You showed us some very aggressive Terran play with cloaking wraith tech early on, which got a ton of kills. The opponent was unable to stop the harass, did you think you had won at that point?
Piano: From the moment I started to deny the armory the build was already going the way I had planned. It partly luck too.
CBY: So you planned for a TvT? Did you think HiyA would advance?
Piano: To be honest I thought Sky would be advancing so I had prepared more for TvP. I didn’t think HiyA would beat Sky. It’s a shame Sky didn’t advance to winners. I’ll be here to enjoy the finals match.
CBY: As I was watching the last game, I felt like HiyA was going through a series of missions. He first had to break through the bunker, then the line of tanks and then he’s faced by wraiths. I’m sure for later matches you will bring diverse and exciting builds. What are your plans for round of 16?
Piano: Well first off, I’m really bad at TvP. So I’ve been practicing a lot of TvP. And Zergs need to avoid me.
CBY: Zergs need to avoid you? So what Zerg players specifically?
Piano: Zero probably will want to dodge me at all costs. Probably best for Afreeca Zergs not to face me.
CBY: I see. You showed very awesome games today. One more round of applause please!
Piano: I have one more thing to say.
CBY: It seems Piano has something to say!
Piano: I was a progamer for around 8 almost 9 years and I haven’t been able to do anything for my mom during that time. I just got out of army too and I started thinking more about her and I asked her to watch my stream too. Mom, I love you!
Lately, I’ve been being criticized by many but there are always my fans who support me so I won’t quit and I’ll make it to the finals and win. I want to give some strength to those who continued to support me through thick and thin.
CBY: Piano, so cool! I’m sure your mom will see the heart you did. It seems you’ve been through some tough circumstances but you can put all that behind you! One more round of applause for Piano and we will continue on with more games!
Group B Final's Interview
CBY: Today’s final match winner Hiya! Your thoughts on advancing to round of 16?
Hiya: I didn’t think it would be such a struggle to make it. I thought after beating my former teammate Sky in the 2nd set, I’d advance first in the group but I ended up meeting Sky again in the finals. My goals, as I mentioned earlier, since I’ve made it to the round of 16, I’m going to continue taking it one step at a time.
CBY: Since the first set I’ve noticed you were sending arbiters to their death almost immediately when you saw them in your vision. And overall your decision making and response was very quick. You met Sky twice today and suddenly he pulled out high templars and, at one point, it looked dangerous for you. Were you still confident you would win?
Hiya: No I wasn’t sure to be honest. I was watching his game vs Midas and I noticed he only used arbiters and I thought “Oh this must be the concept he has for today,” then he suddenly brings out templars versus me. Still, I knew Sky would try to use his recalls to try and go into refugee Protoss mode on Circuit Breaker. I focused on mines and turrets for recall defense and I was able to win.
CBY: So you the situation played out as you had thought? I see. So we’ve met both our round of 16 advancers. In the round of 16 what can we expect?
Hiya: First I’ll have to see the groups of course but.. I’m very nervous haha. I’ve had a ton of offline experience as a pro but it’s a different feeling now. Still I feel more comfortable now that I’ve played once. I think I just need to practice and win.
CBY: Ok, thank you! It was a long group today thank you for coming! I’ll see you next week!