On Top of the World: Celebrating TSM’s win with Coach ‘Raven’
Sitting down with champion coach ‘Raven’ after TSM’s spectacular win at the ALGS Split 1 Playoffs
After four days of intense competition, the ALGS Split 1 Playoffs has awarded its title.
With the crowd on their feet — an entire arena held hostage in the moment — “TSM Champions” flashes onto the screens. Erupting in screams with the adrenaline still circling like wildfire, TSM celebrated their well-earned win, snatched from the hands of their opponents at the last second.
London’s ALGS Split 1 Playoffs delivered all the passion and emotion Apex Legends fans could ever ask for, and it was a privilege to speak to the Split 1 champions, TSM, off the back of their win.
Glowing with the excitement and thrill of an 8-game Match Point victory, TSM coach Raven (after giving me a fantastic hug) sat to talk about their brilliant victory.
Slightly breathless, over the moon, and wearing an Arsenal FC jersey, Raven radiated relief and confidence:
Obviously, it has been an incredible journey for you. You definitely had an emotional moment up there — you had me welling up! You told me when we spoke before LAN that you are not the best team until you have won. Well, now, you have won. Are you happy to claim that title?
Absolutely. Yeah!
I will obviously shout out NRG too — they played a phenomenal tournament. I’d like to think that in Match Point, sometimes there are two winners.
In your post-game interview on the ALGS broadcast you could tell that the energy was insane. How does it feel to get that level of appreciation and love from everybody?
I’m such a fan-centred person. The I feel esports is — I want people to come home and watch quality game play. It is all for them. It’s a nice break from all of the bullshit that people have to deal with during the day and with their jobs.
Absolutely! It has been fantastic as well to see the whole TSM team get the spotlight — the boys have done incredibly well, the TSM ladies have been involved in the broadcast — did you anticipate just how much support the entire team was going to get?
I definitely am cognisant of the fact that TSM have a bunch of fans, but it is still always massively appreciated. It feels great.
I know it is very soon after your LAN win, but you have to defend your title now! What is your mindset approaching the rest of the year ahead?
I just want to keep winning.
I want to be the most accomplished esports coach and team of all time — throughout every esport.
My aspiration are high. It doesn’t matter what the meta turns out to be, I just want to keep winning.
Do you have any insight into how the meta is going to shift?
I can’t say too much, but there will be some massive meta changes coming up in a couple of weeks, so it’s going to be really exciting.
I need to stress — BIG changes to the game, from what I have heard.
Don’t expect the meta next LAN to be similar to this one.
Do you think that is a good thing?
Absolutely — one of the benefits of this game is that you can cycle the meta and keep the game fresh without fundamentally needing to change it.
I think that is one of the things that is so exciting about competitive Apex — the meta can really suit one team, but as soon as it changes, that comfort can essentially go out of the window. What do you do to keep the adaptability necessary to keep up with the meta?
First of all, this is one of the things that I am known for — being one of the people who is experienced in metas and often calls them in advance.
To understand the meta, we practice all legends, regardless of whether we think it is strong enough. When we get that inevitable meta-change, we are ready. We just play everything — don’t be a one-trick.
Bring on an Octane and a Lifeline in scrims — you never know! Why not.
Exactly, why not?
TSM certainly has so much to give, and it was a pleasure to see the team lift the trophy after such a hard-fought competition.
Stay tuned for more post-ALGS content still to come!
