MSI 2026 Team Preview: Top Esports Looking to Restore Hope
Every international event Top Esports qualifies for makes LPL fans worry. They have yet to impress their fans at an international in recent times. Their past three events ended in 3-0 defeats. Twice to T1 at the World Championship, and once to G2 Esports at MSI. With Top Esports facing the latter at the start of the tournament, the spotlight will be on them. Can they finally get past their international choker moniker?
Top Esports’ Roster
- Chinese Top Laner – Cheng “ZUIAN” Zihao
- Chinese Jungler – Gao “Tian” Tianliang
- Chinese Mid Laner – Lin “Creme” Jian
- Chinese Bot Laner – Yu “JackeyLove” Wenbo
- Chinese Support – Wang “Fengyue” Runlai
Top Esports had a tumultuous start to 2026. Their AD Carry, JackeyLove, took the first split off to work on health issues. Zi “JiaQi” Jiaqi filled in for him during Split 1. Their Jungler, Yang “Naiyou” Zijian, received a permanent ban after he was found guilty of match fixing during the Split 1 Playoffs. JackeyLove returned for Split 2. Bai “369” Jiahao dropped to the bench while Hang went to Weibo Gaming. Top Esports brought back Tian and kept Fengyue as their permanent support.
How Long Before Belief Runs Out
With every passing international event, the belief in Top Esports wanes. Many, even in China, do not think Top Esports stands a chance to win MSI. Their domestic performance leading up to an event rarely impacts fans’ expectations. The memories of Top Esports faltering at international events are at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Everyone remembers their disappointing losses to G2 Esports and T1 on two separate occasions. When Top Esports loses, they lose badly.
Bringing Tian back to the roster does not fill the fans with that much hope either. Tian was there for the losses to T1 and G2 Esports in 2024. He was also there for the worst organisation’s international. Top Esports finished in third place in their World Championship group after losing to GAM Esports. A top four for Top Esports will likely not even be enough for fans to believe in them.
If they can challenge T1 and Hanwha Life Esports, maybe some faith returns. If they beat either of those teams, they restore some hope for the organisation. Any loss to a non-LCK or LPL team will have the opposite effect. It might be the final straw for fans to believe in Top Esports.
Key Player – Gao “Tian” Tianliang
Champions Played in Spring 2026
- Xin Zhao (8)
- Jarvan IV (6)
- Vi (6)
- Pantheon (5)
- Lee Sin (4)
- Wukong (4)
- Naafiri (3)
- Trundle (3)
- Skarner (2)
- Nocturne
- Maokai
Tian is a polarizing player. On one hand, he can dominate the rift. He showed signs of that upon his return to Top Esports during the Split 2 Regular Season and the Playoffs. He took out the rising star Wang “Monki” Mengqi of Team WE, who was on a miracle Playoffs run. Days later, he was almost non-existent in their Grand Finals loss to Bilibili Gaming. Those two games have described his career since winning the World Championship in 2019. Top Esports’ success at MSI will hinge mostly on Tian’s shoulders.
If he can find a consistent, strong form, they may challenge the best teams in the tournament. However, if international Tian rears its head, we might see Top Esports finish outside the top four. They could even see themselves drop further, and potentially not win a series at the tournament.
Top Esports’ Expectations
Top Esports must deliver a top-four performance at least to satisfy fans. No one expects them to beat Bilibili Gaming, Hanwha Life Esports, or T1. With all the roster changes, Top Esports should not hold a candle to any of those teams. However, they have enough firepower to be competitive and should beat anyone else in the tournament. They will start MSI against G2 Esports. That series will lay the groundwork for expectations. If they beat G2 Esports, fans will have some hope, but a loss will destroy any belief anyone had in them.
G2 Esports Rivalry Continues
Thanks to Bilibili Gaming winning First Stand, Top Esports is the only second seed starting in the MSI Bracket Stage. They will face G2 Esports in their first match. It will be a telling series for both teams to set expectations. A win for either will propel fans’ hope; a loss, and everyone will lack the belief.
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.
