TYLOO's campaign at XSE Pro League in Guangzhou came to an end after a quarter-final defeat to 9z. The loss marks the second time the Chinese squad has fallen to the Latin American team, having previously met at IEM Cologne during the Major.
Dongkai "Jee" Ji opened up about the series, explaining that despite a strong start on Nuke's CT side, the team made critical errors. He noted that 9z appeared familiar with their setups, making defense particularly challenging. The deciding map saw TYLOO manage only four rounds, with their CT side proving especially disappointing. Jee also mentioned that three teammates were battling flu, which impacted their performance.
The 21-year-old AWPer emphasized the significance of competing in front of Chinese fans, describing TYLOO as one of the nation's most popular Counter-Strike organizations. Despite Chinese teams not matching European standards, the passionate home support creates an electrifying atmosphere that drives the players forward.
Regarding Major aspirations, Jee acknowledged that winning the championship remains distant but expressed confidence about reaching the playoffs. He highlighted the team's progression from a 0-3 exit at the previous Major to a 1-3 result in Cologne, viewing it as steady improvement. The next realistic target is advancing to Stage 3.
The AWPer stressed the critical importance of European bootcamps for Asian teams, revealing that TYLOO didn't train in Europe before the Cologne Major. For the upcoming Esports World Cup in Singapore, the team plans to bootcamp in Europe to maximize their competitive edge. Jee concluded with enthusiasm, declaring his personal ambition to become Asia's premier AWPer while the team pursues its Stage 3 dream.
