TSM to start academy jungler Spica in LCS summer playoffs
Team SoloMid is starting Mingyi “Spica” Lu in playoffs.
TSM chose Spica as the starting jungler for the 2019 LCS Summer Playoffs. Spica joined TSM Academy earlier this year and he made his LCS debut in week nine of the regular season.
The decision took the community by surprise. Through the regular season, TSM alternated between Matthew “Akaadian” Higginbotham and Jonathan “Grig” Armao. Eventually, the team settled for Akaadian while Grig moved to TSM Academy where he became the starting top laner.
Now, the team is making a drastic decision and keeping Spica on the roster over both Akaadian and Grig. On top of it all, TSM listed bot laner Edward “Tactical” Ra and support Erik “Treatz” Wessén as the substitutes. It means that Spica is the only jungler that TSM will bring to playoffs.
TSM struggles in the jungle
It’s not a secret that TSM has been struggling to find a jungler that works for them. Spica is the fourth jungler to join TSM since franchising began. The lack of stability in that role is affecting the rest of the map.
Bot laner Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen is the type of laner that requires attention from the jungler. His performance is not consistent, as he can carry the team but also cost them the series. These constant changes in the jungle are not helping Zven.
The root of the issue is TSM’s lack of identity. The team is yet to define what kind of team they are and what their playing style is. Are they an aggressive team? Are they a farming and scaling team? Based on the team’s style, the jungler will take certain pathing routes and provide a different type of support to the laners.
This new shake-up comes at the worst time for TSM. The team is going versus Clutch Gaming, a hot squad that already took them out of the playoffs in a previous season.
2019 Worlds Championship hopes are on the line and TSM fans can only hope that Spica is the answer.
Read Also
Esports Betting
Top Esports beats Team WE in the LPL, qualifies for MSI 2026
Wasif Ahmed
Against all odds, Top Esports faced Team WE in the LPL upper bracket final. Both teams fought over a spot for the Mid-Season Invitational that everyone expected Anyone’s Legend, Bilibili Gaming, or JD Gaming to claim. In the end, TES paused WE’s Cinderella story as they beat them 3-0. Before this series, World Elite had defeated two LPL powerhouses in BLG and AL. Against TES, though, they suddenly lost all ...
League of Legends
G2 Esports complete comeback against Karmine Corp to win LEC Spring 2026
Hannan Mundia
After a fairly smooth split, G2 Esports emerged victorious in the 2026 LEC Spring split grand final by making a comeback against Karmine Corp. The 2026 LEC Spring split has finally concluded. With spots at MSI and the Esports World Cup on the line, every professional European team gave it their all to get as far as they could. While most teams fell quickly, Karmine Corp and G2 Esports managed ...
Esports Betting
G2 Esports vs Karmine Corp 2026 LEC Spring: Best odds, picks
Hannan Mundia
The 2026 LEC Spring split is about to conclude, with G2 Esports and Karmine Corp facing off one last time to see which team qualifies for the Esports World Cup. While both teams have done well to make it to this LEC split’s grand final, only one team can be crowned the victor. With a direct ticket to the EWC on the line, there’s a strong chance that G2’s dominating ...
Esports Betting
MKOI vs Karmine Corp 2026 LEC Spring betting preview: Best odds and picks
Hannan Mundia
Two LEC spots are open for this year’s Mid-Season Invitational, and MKOI will battle against Karmine Corp to determine which team grabs it. The ongoing LEC Spring split is almost done, and only three teams remain. While G2 Esports has already established itself as the strongest so far with a guaranteed spot in the grand final, Movistar KOI and Karmine Corp will battle it out on the big stage for ...
League of Legends
LCK 2026 Road to MSI: Teams, format, and schedule
Hannan Mundia
With the LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2 complete, the qualified teams will battle it out in Road to MSI. With two spots for the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational and one spot for the 2026 Esports World Cup on the line, here’s everything to know about the LCK 2026 Road to MSI. Six teams have qualified for Road to MSI, but only two MSI spots are available for this region. While powerhouse teams ...
Esports Betting
KT Rolster vs T1 2026 LCK Season Rounds 1-2: Best odds and picks
Hannan Mundia
KT Rolster and T1 will face off in the last week of 2026 LCK Rounds 1-2 to potentially improve their starting position at Road to MSI. KT Rolster and T1 have both had their moment to shine in the ongoing 2026 LCK split. With one week remaining, the two teams will battle against each other for a chance at acquiring second place and starting with a significant advantage in the ...
Esports Betting
EWC officially heads to Paris for 2026 as early reports confirmed
Michael Hassall
The Esports World Cup 2026 will take place in Paris, France from July later this year as per an new announcement by the EWC organizers, the Esports Foundation. Revealed in a post on their official social media, and an accompanying release and blog post, the announcement confirmed earlier speculation that the event would move location due to the “regional situation” around Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here’s the info: The Esports World ...
