Cryin’s debut with GEN sparks heated discussion.

The most talked-about offline esports event recently has been the 2025 Puyuan Esports Festival. The organizers specially invited teams IG, AL, and GEN to participate, with many fans eagerly anticipating the matchups between AL and GEN. Before the event, insiders disclosed that GEN’s mid laner would be Cryin from the LPL, which triggered widespread discussion. Many viewers hoped Cryin could “faithfully represent” in the matches and help AL achieve victory.

As the Puyuan Esports Festival officially started, many fans noticed that Cryin played a marginal role in GEN’s lineup. Whether in pre-match or post-match interviews, Cryin appeared alone. During the competition, GEN didn’t even prepare a separate jersey for Cryin, leading many viewers to criticize GEN’s management for being stingy. Of course, GEN’s players are individually strong; despite this being their first time cooperating with mid laner Cryin, GEN still managed to sweep IG 2-0 (IG’s mid laner rookie did not participate).

Although GEN managed to sweep IG during the event, they revealed many problems when facing AL’s full starting lineup. Ultimately, GEN was completely overwhelmed by AL, who successfully claimed the Puyuan Esports Festival annual championship. Despite the low prestige of this title, many LPL fans joked that this was the first international championship for LPL this year. Cryin also revealed in a post-match interview that there was zero communication between him and GEN players during the matches; they didn’t talk to him, and he couldn’t understand what they were saying.

AL manager publicly addresses tabe’s departure.

Besides the matches, the esports festival included many Q&A sessions with fans and media. During an interview, AL’s manager was asked by the host about the real reason behind former coach tabe’s departure. Previously, LPL champion coach Zhu Kai disclosed in a livestream that tabe left because he was dissatisfied with a certain AL player and strongly demanded the management replace that player. When AL refused, tabe felt embarrassed and chose to leave.

Although Zhu Kai guaranteed the accuracy of his revelations during the livestream, many LPL fans doubted him, labeling him as a “freelance coach.” Therefore, many hoped to hear the truth from AL manager Aixiao. In the interview, Aixiao responded for the first time, stating that tabe’s departure was normal since his contract with AL had expired. Tabe’s decision to leave AL and join JDG was his own, and AL had no right to stop him.

Finally, Aixiao frankly said that after leaving AL, tabe had no further ties with the team, and his opinions about certain players ended there. After hearing Aixiao’s response, many fans speculated that the truth behind tabe’s departure might be as Zhu Kai revealed. Some viewers are curious which AL player tabe looked down on, causing the disagreement that led to the split. (Currently, top laner Shengqiangge and AD carry Xiwange are the most suspected by fans. Who do you think it might be?)