Following a decisive 3-0 sweep over BLG, AL’s Shanks affirms the Pandas are confident in their path to the MSI 2025 Grand Finals.
The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2025 is nearing its conclusion, but there’s still plenty of League of Legends action left in Vancouver, Canada. In a highly anticipated rematch of the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), Anyone’s Legends and Bilibili Gaming clashed on July 10.
AL came out on top with a commanding 3-0 series, proving to be the stronger side. With this win, the Chinese squad advances to face T1 for a shot at the final spot in the MSI 2025 Grand Finals, set to take place on July 12 against Gen.G.
In an exclusive interview with esports.gg, Cui “Shanks” Xiao-Jun talked about the victory against Bilibili Gaming, the team’s great adaptation to the opponents, family support, and his iconic sunglasses.
MSI 2025: Anyone’s Legends set their sights on the Grand Finals
Anyone’s Legends defeated Bilibili Gaming by 3-0 (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)
Esports.gg: How would you describe today’s matches? Did you expect such a dominant 3-0 victory?
AL Shanks: I actually didn’t do any prediction before the match, but I determined we would win today. To describe today’s matches, I would use the word “fantastic.”
You showed us a great draft, well prepared against BLG. What were the key things you identified to exploit against BLG?
AL Shanks: I think the most important thing is that we did really well, and we were able to make quick adjustments to what BLG drafted. It all depends on what happens during the matches, definitely.
What was it like to play against knight again after the regional season?
AL Shanks: I think he is a very good mid-laner.
Do you think that Anyone’s Legends can eliminate T1 and get to the MSI 2025 Grand Finals against Gen.G?
AL Shanks: I think we will get to the Grand Finals.
BLG knight and AL Shanks (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)
AL Shanks: “The support from my family means the world to me.”
You spoke very fondly of your sister, father, and mother, and the support they provided you before you came to the MSI. How has their support helped you on this MSI journey?
AL Shanks: The support from my family means the world to me, and they have been very helpful throughout my career. I want to say some words to them: I hope that my family is healthy, and I’ll do my best in the next matches to reward them.
How do you describe your MSI experience so far?
Can we expect to see more of Shanks’ iconic sunglasses in the future?
AL Shanks wore various cool sunglasses during the MSI 2025 (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)
Which player would you like to exchange jerseys with before the MSI ends?
AL Shanks: I already did a jersey exchange with Faker, Chovy, and also Caps. They are all great, great mid-laners, so I did a lot of dressing swapping during the MSI. I’m very grateful to do this with so many incredible players.
What message do you want to leave to the Anyone’s Legends fans?
AL Shanks: Thank you so much, guys, for your support, and we will bring you the best performances.