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- Image of Worlds 25, Courtesy of Riot Games

World Championship 2025 PSG Preview: The Flash Wolves Core is Back

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Devin Morris | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 11:18 AM ET

PSG Talon has seen various changes in 2025. They began the year without Maple, who had retired the year prior, and without PSG as their sponsor. After narrowly missing out on two international events, they have managed to qualify for the World Championship. However, it was not without concern as the return of Maple did not start well. They steadied the ship for the Playoffs and managed to earn a third place. Will the old Flash Wolves core find form at the World Championship and shock the world?

PSG Talon Roster

Huang “Azhi” Shang-chih – Taiwanese Top Laner
Hung “Karsa” Hau-hsuan – Taiwanese Jungler
Huang “Maple” Yi-tang – Taiwanese Mid Laner
Lu “Betty” Yu-hung – Taiwanese Bot Laner
Lin “Woody” Hung-yu – Taiwanese Support
Cheng “CorGi” Pin-lun – Taiwanese Head Coach

After bowing out of the 2024 World Championship, Maple retired, and Yu “JunJia” Chun-chia left for CTBC Flying Oyster. They brought in Karsa in the Jungle and Chu “FoFo” Chun-lan in the mid lane. After Split 2, FoFo left the team due to injury, and Maple came out of retirement to take his place.

PSG’s Road to Worlds

While under the Talon name, they started the year well. They finished first in the Season Kickoff Regular Season and nearly went all the way in the Playoffs. They would lose 3-1 to CFO in the Grand Final, meaning they would miss out on First Stand. The Midseason was a weaker showing for Talon, as they finished third in both the Regular Season and the Playoffs. That finish would result in another international event missed.

Heading into the Season Finals, they rebranded to PSG Talon, and Maple came out of retirement to replace FoFo. PSG slumped in the Group Stage, losing four consecutive Bo3 series in a row without a game win. They had to qualify for the Playoffs through the Breakout Bracket. They managed to win both series 2-0 as the fifth seed. PSG’s form returned as they defeated Viking Esports and GAM Esports to make the Upper Bracket Final and qualify for the World Championship. They would lose 3-1 to CFO and Team Secret Whales to finish as the LCP’s third seed.

Maple’s Return

After weeks of tournament play, the 2024 League of Legends Worlds has come down to Bilibili Gaming of China and T1 of Korea. (Promotional image courtesy Riot Games)

Many will remember Maple’s incredible performances in international events. He was once a mechanical powerhouse that could take over games. However, since coming out of retirement, he has not looked like the same player. The majority of the struggles that PSG had at the start of the Season Finals can be attributed to this. FoFo was the player that Talon invested their resources into, given his ability to take over games.

Maple was not that player, and he looked best on utility champions and Azir, which got banned against him. No one can blame Maple for this; his age and the time off make it impossible for him to reach his previous performances. Now with more time and being on the international stage, we might see an improvement for Maple, and he could become the focal point of PSG.

Who Will Step Up as PSG’s Carry?

Due to the lack of a carry player on PSG, they struggled. During the Playoffs, Karsa stepped up as the player whom PSG funneled their resources. However, similar to Maple, he is not the carry player he was during his prime. At the World Championship, the team will struggle to compete with even the weakest teams if no one steps up to take the mantle. Even against CFO and TSW, they were outclassed. While CFO is a competitive team, TSW is likely to fall without much competition in the Swiss Stage. Has PSG found a solution during the break to their carry problems?

Expectations

At the last World Championship and at MSI, they were the hope of the minor regions to challenge the best in the world. They nearly delivered, almost taking down Bilibili Gaming in both competitions. However, in 2025, they have fallen down the pecking order. A win for PSG is above their expectations, so do not be surprised if they go 0-3.

Upcoming Journey

PSG Talon are in Pool 3 for the Swiss Stage at the World Championship. Their potential Round 1 opponents are: GenG Esports, Bilibili Gaming, G2 Esports, and FlyQuest.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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