MSI 2026 Team Review: Top Esports Failing to Meet Falling Expectations Again
Many were cautiously optimistic about Top Esports at MSI this year. They did not expect them to challenge the top teams, given the rookies on the roster. However, they were the first team eliminated from the Bracket Stage. They lost to G2 Esports after being 2-0 up, and then fell to Team Secret Whales in the Lower Bracket. Another international event, and another disappointing end for the LPL team.
Top Esports MSI Results
TES played two series at MSI. They lost both of them.
- Lost 3-2 to G2 Esports
- Lost 3-1 to Team Secret Whales
Top Esports Player Review
ZUIAN
- Total Apex Rating – 4.5 (3rd amongst top laners, 47th among players)
- Champions Played
- Sion (2)
- Ambessa
- Gnar
- Jayce
- Ornn
- Renekton
- Rumble
- Tristana
ZUIAN started MSI in the best way. He got resources from Tian and used those to carry game one against G2 Esports. That was the only time he had a significant impact on a game. His lack of experience showed during the tournament. He died on numerous occasions and had shaky laning phases against BrokenBlade and Pun.
Tian
- Total Apex Rating – 5.1 (8th among junglers, tied 37th among players)
- Champions Played
- Jarvan IV (2)
- Wukong (2)
- Maokai
- Naafiri
- Nocturne
- Qiyana
- Vi
With Tian’s start to the G2 series, many expected him to shake his international woes. However, that quickly changed as he died trying to take Scuttle Crab underneath G2’s tower. The series went downhill for him from that point. He also struggled to perform against TSW. He had a couple of redeeming games on Vi and Qiyana. Overall, international Tian struck again.
Creme
- Total Apex Rating – 6.3 (tied 4th among mid laners, tied 16th among players)
- Champions Played
- Hwei (2)
- Yone (2)
- Ahri
- Aurora
- Cassiopeia
- Ryze
- Syndra
Creme is the shining light in the TES roster. He rarely had a weak game. His worst performances usually came when the map exploded around him. He was vital on Ahri to get TES a game against TSW. Whenever he had the chance to, he positively impacted the games.
JackeyLove
- Total Apex Rating – 5.3 (7th among bot laners, tied 32nd among players)
- Champions Played
- Ziggs (2)
- Aphelios
- Ashe
- Ezreal
- Jhin
- Mel
- Varus
- Yunara
JackeyLove had a typical JackeyLove performance at MSI. He had moments of brilliance, followed by dying to his mistakes. The perfect encapsulation was game two against TSW. He negates the engage from TSW, but then dashes in immediately. He kills Eddie, but dies in the process. TES needed him to step up, but he failed.
Fengyue
- Total Apex Rating – 4.7 (tied 8th among supports, tied 44th among players)
- Champions Played
- Karma
- Lulu
- Nautilus
- Neeko
- Pantheon
- Pyke
- Rell
- Seraphine
- Thresh
Fengyue had a rough first international appearance. He never fully found his footing in either series. There were moments of brilliance, like this Neeko game against G2. However, many will remember the tragic games on Pantheon and Pyke. He clearly did not want to play Pantheon, but was forced into it.
Top Esports Review
Losing to G2 was not that big of a surprise when the tournament started. However, the way that they fell was disappointing. After leading 2-0, they crumbled. G2 had the better of them in the series. If they got past TSW, there would have been more positive signs for the roster from MSI. TSW had clear drawbacks, something LYON exploited in the next series.
While looking at transitive properties in terms of results is not ideal, TSW is a team they should have beaten. But they did not show up on the day. There are rumours that Fengyue is leaving the team for the Summer Split. Ideally, TES should keep him. Even if he had a rough performance, there are positive signs for him. It also feels like a waste of time replacing a player for one Split only. They need to figure out how to transfer domestic form to the international stage.
More MSI Content
Below is some of the previous MSI content on Total Apex, for the team reviews.
