MSI 2026 Team Preview: Relove Deep Cross Gaming – From Promotion to an Exciting International Appearance
Relove Deep Cross Gaming spent the first year of the LCP playing in Tier 2. They crushed the PCS, finishing first in every split. They went on to win the LCP Promotion, qualifying for the LCP this year. Relove Deep Cross Gaming surprised everyone with two second-place finishes in a row. They earned their berth to MSI for their first international appearance. Unfortunately for them, they face a four-team gauntlet for one spot in the Bracket Stage.
Relove Deep Cross Gaming’s Roster
- Hong Kongese Top Laner – Lo “Flauren” Chak Kin
- Taiwanese Jungler – Wu “POP9” Yi-han
- Taiwanese Mid Laner – Kuo “HongSuo” Bei-yi
- Taiwanese Bot Laner – Chen “Feng” Chun-feng
- Taiwanese Support – Liu “ShiauC” Chia-hao
Relove Deep Cross Gaming has kept the same roster since the start of 2025. With no upgrades, many expected them to struggle in the LCP. But with the power vacuum changes, Relove Deep Cross Gaming has joined Team Secret Whales as the top two teams in the region. They have a ways to go, as they remain behind Team Secret Whales.
Garnering International Experience
Qualifying for an international event is always a special occasion. Relove Deep Cross Gaming will have a chance to scrim and play against some of the best teams in the world. That has to be the way that they approach this event. On paper, they are by far the weakest team in the Play-Ins. They must play against three established organisations in T1, Karmine Corp, and Team Liquid.
A series victory will be a time for celebration for this team. It is vital that they take the right lessons from their time in Korea and do not go down without a fight. Mechanically, they are strong, but they lack the macro fundamentals that other teams have. If they can find a way to out-micro their opponents, they might grab a game or two from more dominant opponents.
Key Player – Lo “Flauren” Chak Kin
Champions Played in Spring 2026
- Gnar (8)
- Jayce (7)
- Rumble (6)
- Jax (5)
- Vayne (4)
- Sion (4)
- K’Sante (3)
- Ambessa (2)
- Renekton (2)
- Shen (2)
- Ornn
- Gwen
- Yorick
- Cassiopeia
- Olaf
- Zaahen
Flauren is the only non-Taiwanese player on this roster. He is also a rookie this year. As a result, he is still raw, but he has the makings of a strong top laner. He has a wide champion and displays some of the best mechanics in the region, often towering over the other top laners. He has taken strides to improve throughout the year, starting as a weak laner but a strong mid-to-late-game player. Since returning for Split 2, he has continued to work on his early game, and he is now an all-around top laner.
MSI will be a step up for him in terms of competition. All three of his potential opponents in the Play-In Stage are Korean top laners. Kim “Canna” Chang-dong, Park “Morgan” Ru-han, and Choi “Doran” Hyeon-jun have all spent time in the LCK. His first matchup will be against Canna, who has been one of the best top laners in the LCK. This MSI will be a great time for Flauren to show what he can do on the international stage.
Relove Deep Cross Gaming’s Expectations
Getting out of the MSI Play-Ins is highly unlikely. Needing to win at least three best-of-five series against strong competition seems out of reach for this team. Relove Deep Cross Gaming finished second in the LCP, mainly due to their superior mechanics. That will not be enough to beat the rest of the Play-Ins teams. All of them can match them mechanically, if not better, and they have the macro to match. If they can win a series in the Play-Ins, that will already be a success for this organisation.
Karmine Corp First Up
Relove Deep Cross Gaming starts in the MSI Play-Ins against the LEC second seed, Karmine Corp. If they beat the European team, they will find themselves against the winner of T1 and Team Liquid. From there, they will need to win two more series to qualify for the Bracket Stage. The Play-Ins is a double-bracket, giving Relove Deep Cross Gaming at least two series at the international event.
More LoL Esports Content
Below is all the previous MSI content on the Total Apex. You can expect more MSI articles in the following weeks.
