MSI 2025 Preview: GAM Esports Aims to Shock the World

GAM Esports enters the Mid-season Invitational as the LCP’s second seed. GAM was one game away from the first seed, losing the Grand Finals to CTBC Flying Oysters 3-2. As the second seed, they must emerge through the Play-Ins to qualify for the Bracket Stage. It will be a tall order for the Vietnamese outfit in a group with Bilibili Gaming, G2 Esports, and Furia. GAM has done it before. Can they do it again?

GAM Esports Roster

• Trần “Kiaya” Duy Sang – Vietnamese Top Laner
• Đỗ “Levi” Duy Khánh – Vietnamese Jungler
• Nguyễn “Emo” Thái Vinh – Vietnamese Mid Laner
• Hồ “Aress” Văn Vĩ Đại – Vietnamese Substitute Mid Laner
• Trần “Artemis” Quốc Hưng – Vietnamese Bot Laner
• Hứa “EasyLove” Thành An – Vietnamese Substitute Bot Laner
• Phạm “Elio” Thạch Nhân Băng – Vietnamese Support
• Trần “Archie” Minh Nhựt – Vietnamese Coach

The GAM roster remains mostly unchanged from the one that competed at the World Championship and MSI last year. The only difference is that Artemis is starting over EasyLove. Levi will continue to try to lead his roster to another international upset.

How They Got Here

GAM struggled to get consistent victories going during the regular season, finishing mid-table. The playoffs were where they began to shine, defeating all opposition in front of them, except for CFO. CFO beat GAM in Round 2 and in the Grand Finals to deny GAM the LCP first seed. GAM made CFO work for their victories, taking them to the final game of each series.

Expectations

Predicting GAM Esports at international events has always been a challenge for analysts. They tend to cause one upset every time. In the past three World Championships, they knocked out a major regional team. Top Esports in 2022, Team Liquid in 2023, and Mad Lions Koi in 2024. They will need to cause an upset once more to qualify for the Bracket Stage. G2 and BLG come in as favorites to beat GAM, but never underestimate the Vietnamese powerhouse.

GAM’s Journey

CFO’s top four finish at First Stand earlier this year places GAM Esports tied with BLG for the second-to-last place seed at MSI. The seeding brings GAM and BLG against each other in their first GSL match. The formula for qualification is simple. Win two series, and you qualify. If you lose two, you are out of the competition. GAM is favored against the South American contingent, Furia. The qualification for the Bracket Stage brings a match against GenG Esports or Movistar Koi.