Asia-Pacific qualification for League\u2019s<\/em> major events will now be split over two stages. The top three seeds will be given a straight pass to the second stage of the PCS playoffs, while the remaining eight squads will battle through two four-team group stages. Riot has not yet said how the top seeds will be determined as yet, but it’s highly likely squads based in the PCS will be given the first look. The top team from the Spring Split playoffs earns PCS’ spot at MSI’s Play-In, while Summer’s top two will make the trip to Worlds.<\/p>
The LJL’s inclusion sees the entirety of Southeast Asia now united under one banner. Players across Southeast Asia, Oceania, and now Japan will be able to represent the PCS but must maintain a subregional majority to compete in the minor leagues.<\/p>
Unfortunately, the merger doesn’t have a brilliant track record for sustainability for the subregions joining the larger organization. In particular, Oceania’s LCO has struggled this year as stakes have dropped and interest in the region has waned, with big-name local organizations pulling the cord. One of the biggest problems fans have flagged is that the wider region is too vast and spread over too large an area for teams to feel connected.<\/p>
