Chapter 248: I can

SKT's first-ban strategy remained unchanged, still banning Nidalee.

G2 quickly banned Syndra.

SKT's second ban was Vi.

Only the last ban slot remained, and G2's ban pace slowed.

From the player bench view, one could see the G2 coach standing behind the jungler, the two quickly discussing something.

This scene, paired with extremely fast-paced BP background music, made everyone feel a tense, urgent atmosphere.

G2's final ban slot remained undecided for a while.

"25 seconds..."

"20 seconds..."

Lao Zhang, who was in charge of banning, announced the time every five seconds.

Meanwhile, in the headset, Ka Lao Si was fiercely exchanging opinions with Liang Yan.

Since SKT's last ban was likely to be Ryze, the most critical question facing G2 was how to deal with Jayce and the Dragon King Caitlyn composition.

It was easy to see that G2 had two possible plans.

One was to ban Jayce and then first-pick Caitlyn.

The advantage of this plan is that it eliminates all visible threats, resolving Jayce's ownership and avoiding the risk of SKT obtaining the Dragon King Caitlyn composition.

But the drawbacks are also obvious.

After G2 first-picks Caitlyn, red-side SKT would likely lock in Karma and Janna together.

Because Karma can go mid.

Moreover, SKT truly isn't afraid of the Dragon King Caitlyn Braum composition, so G2 couldn't, after losing both supports, snatch Dragon King in return.

Thus, even if G2 secures Caitlyn, the bottom lane would face the problem of lacking a suitable support, and the bottom lane situation from the previous game could repeat.

Another plan is to ban Caitlyn and first-pick Jayce; the situation is actually similar to the previous plan.

Caitlyn must absolutely not be given to SKT; even if SKT doesn't take Dragon King later, Bang and Wolf's Caitlyn with a long-range combo has very strong pressure, even scarier than Ashe, which is why G2 has been banning Caitlyn since the first game.

Both plans fail to solve the problem of losing supports; it's just whether G2 trusts Caitlyn or Jayce more, which is what Ka Lao Si and Liang Yan are discussing.

Ka Lao Si believes the bottom lane is more important, advocating banning Jayce and taking Caitlyn.

Liang Yan's view is that G2's win rate with Jayce against SKT in scrims is so high there's no reason not to pick it; as for the previous loss, it was largely due to the bottom lane collapsing under dual AD carries, which has little to do with Jayce.

"The previous game's ban/pick was my fault; I fully admit I underestimated them and shouldn't have assumed SKT wouldn't play it just because they hadn't before. But believe me, Jayce is more important than Caitlyn!"

"So you also think the bottom lane is more important—shouldn't we then take Caitlyn?"

"The problem is that taking Caitlyn isn't necessarily better, do you understand, Ka Lao Si? If the enemy really snatches Morgana and Janna, what would Caitlyn pair with? A Caitlyn with average early development is like a big siege engine in the mid‑game, only useful very late."

"If that's the case, what would we pick that's different?"

"15 seconds."

Lao Zhang announced the time again, his mouse clicking back and forth between Caitlyn and Jayce.

Silence fell over the headset.

Liang Yan felt it was tricky.

The other teammates stayed silent; this wasn't their place to interject. In past bans/picks, whenever Liang Yan spoke, Ka Lao Si would unconditionally agree, but now Ka Lao Si seemed to have grown a spine, daring to challenge the elder brother. Objectively, both viewpoints sounded reasonable, so whichever plan was ultimately chosen, everyone would follow without question.

Everything was for victory.

"How about…"

Lao Zhang, seeing the ban timer about to enter single‑digit countdown, spoke weakly,

"Should we ban Caitlyn and first‑pick Morgana?"

"You want to play Jayce?"

Liang Yan was very surprised.

"Hmm."

Lao Zhang began to show resolve.

He nodded firmly, as if trying to bolster his own courage.

Lao Zhang well knew that if this backfired and they lost, he would bear the blame.

But he still said:

"I can do it."

"Alright, then I have no objections."

Liang Yan stopped speaking.

Ka Lao Si glanced at the screen; there was no time left to think, and he also nodded:

"If you're sure you can play Jayce, I agree!"

"I'm sure!"

Lao Zhang's mouse hovered over the champion pool, finally settling on the Caitlyn icon, which he selected and quickly confirmed.

On the LPL commentary desk, Wawa let out a sigh of relief, patting his chest and saying:

"Wow, you scared me to death—I thought G2 was going to leave a ban empty!"

"It looks like there was some disagreement between the coach and the players; this situation is actually quite rare."

"That's true. Still, G2 ultimately made its final choice! And SKT's last ban was almost without hesitation—Ryze."

"G2 first‑picked and instantly locked in Karma."

"Hmm, that's a good choice."

Wawa grinned sheepishly.

Miller's voice was calm.

The long-haired one joined in the laughter.

They had no idea what the G2 players' bench had just experienced in those thirty seconds.

As expected, SKT's first pick-and-ban indeed took Jesse + Janna.

The following pick process was uneventful.

G2's second pick-and-ban secured Ezreal and Mang Seng, the opposing side locked in Clockwork + Ember, G2's last two picks locked in Viktor and Bo Bi, SKT's last pick locked in Rek'Sai.

Both sides' lineups locked.

G2, Blue side

ban: Miss Fortune, Syndra, Caitlyn

Top: Island, Bo Bi

Jungle: Firrrrrre, Mang Seng

Mid: Perkz, Viktor

ADC: Zven, Ezreal

Support: Mithy, Karma

SKT, Red side

ban: Nidalee, Vi, Ryze

Top: Duke, Jesse

Jungle: Bengi, Rek'Sai

Mid: Faker, Clockwork

ADC: Bang, Ember

Support: Wolf, Janna

During the map-reading stage, a pre-match interview of both sides was played again.

The chubby Wolf sat calmly on a high stool, chatting openly with the camera:.

"If we play G2, there's nothing to worry about. We're stronger in every lane; as long as we perform normally, we'll definitely win this Bo5."

The camera then turned to Mithy sitting opposite:

"Wow, I want to say, the LCK playstyle really lacks some passion; it's time to show the audience something different. Of course, Faker is my idol; if I get the chance, I hope to solo kill him once."

Wolf was startled:

"Huh?"

The image froze on Wolf's surprised expression for two seconds, provoking laughter from the entire audience.

Before the laughter died down, Summoner's Rift appeared on the big screen.