Talon Esports

Talon Esports is a professional esports organisation based in Hong Kong with teams competing across the Asia Pacific. Its League of Legends team is known as PSG Talon due to its partnership with PSG Esports, and competes in the Pacific Championship Series, the top-level league for the game in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia.[5][6][7] Its Overwatch team competes in Overwatch Contenders, a developmental league for the Overwatch League.[8]

Talon Esports
Short nameTLN
Divisions
Founded2016 (2016)
Based inHong Kong
CEOXiao "Sean" Zhang[1]
PartnersNew Wave Esports Co.[2][3][4]
Websitetalon.gg

League of Legends
Main article: PSG Talon

History

Riot Games announced on 19 December 2019 that Talon Esports would be one of ten teams participating in the newly created Pacific Championship Series.[5][6] Talon Esports' inaugural roster consisted of top laner Su "Hanabi" Chia-hsiang,[9] jungler Kim "River" Dong-woo,[10] mid laner Kim "Candy" Seung-ju,[11] bot laner Wong "Unified" Chun-kit,[10] and support Ling "Kaiwing" Kai-wing.[11]

Talon Esports finished third in the 2020 PCS Spring regular season, qualifying for the first round of playoffs in the winners' bracket.[12] After winning three series and losing one, Talon Esports reached the finals where they faced off against Machi Esports. Talon Esports came out on top after a close series and won their first PCS title.[13][14]

On 18 June 2020, Talon Esports announced that its League of Legends team had partnered with PSG Esports and would henceforth compete as PSG Talon.[15][16] Mid laner Park "Tank" Dan-won was brought in as a substitute for the summer split, but was later promoted to the starting position after the departure of Candy on 9 July 2020.[17]

In a repeat of the spring split, PSG Talon finished third in the 2020 PCS Summer regular season and reached the finals after defeating the same teams in spring. This qualified the team for the 2020 World Championship.[18] PSG Talon later faced Machi Esports once again in a rematch of the spring finals; however, this time Machi Esports defeated PSG Talon, forcing PSG Talon to start in the play-in stage of Worlds as the PCS' second seed.[19]

River and Tank were unable to participate in the play-in stage due to delayed visas, and were replaced with Hsiao "Kongyue" Jen-tso and Chen "Uniboy" Chang-chu respectively. Unified was also unable to participate in the first half of the play-in stage for the same reason, and was replaced with Chen "Dee" Chun-dee.[20][21]

Despite starting the play-in stage with three emergency substitutes, PSG Talon won both their games on the first day of competition, including an upset victory over group favourites LGD Gaming.[22] PSG Talon later topped their group and qualified for the tournament's main event.[23] PSG Talon was placed in Group B for the main event, along with South Korea's DAMWON Gaming, China's JD Gaming, and Europe's Rogue. PSG Talon finished third in their group with a 2–4 win-loss record, ending their Worlds run.[24]

PSG Talon announced the departure of Tank on 31 October 2021[25] and the signing of Huang "Maple" Yi-tang as his replacement on 10 December.[26]

PSG Talon finished first in the 2021 PCS Spring regular season, losing only a single game to second-place Beyond Gaming. The team later reached their third consecutive PCS finals and swept Beyond Gaming to win their second PCS title.[27]

Unified was unable to participate in the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI 2021) due to recurring cases of pneumothorax. He was replaced with Beyond Gaming's Chiu "Doggo" Tzu-chuan.[28]

For the group stage of MSI 2021, PSG Talon was placed in Group B, along with Europe's MAD Lions, Brazil's paiN Gaming, and Turkey's Istanbul Wildcats. PSG Talon finished second in their group with a 4–2 win–loss record, only losing to first-place MAD Lions, and qualified for the "rumble" stage of the tournament. PSG Talon finished third out of six teams in the rumble stage, advancing to the knockout stage.[29] In the semifinals, China's Royal Never Give Up eliminated PSG Talon from the tournament after a four-game series.[30]

PSG Talon placed first in the 2021 PCS Summer regular season, finishing undefeated. After sweeping J Team in the semifinals, PSG Talon qualified for the 2021 World Championship and their fourth consecutive PCS finals, where they defeated Beyond Gaming after another close series.[31]

PSG Talon's first-place finish in the 2021 summer split qualified them for the main event of the 2021 World Championship. The team was placed in Group C, along with China's Royal Never Give Up, South Korea's Hanwha Life Esports, and Europe's Fnatic.[32] PSG Talon finished third in their group and failed to qualify for the knockout stage.[33]

Current roster
PSG Talon roster
PlayersCoaches
Role Handle Name Nationality
Top  Azhi  Huang Shang-chih  Taiwan 
Top  Hanabi  Su Chia-hsiang  Taiwan 
Jungle  Juhan  Lee Ju-han  South Korea 
Mid  Bay  Park Jun-byeong  South Korea 
Mid  Pretender (L)  Jason Ng Cheuk-lun  Hong Kong 
Bot  Unified  Wong Chun-kit  Hong Kong 
Support  Kaiwing  Ling Kai-wing  Hong Kong 
Head coach

Cheng "CorGi" Pin-lun

Assistant coach(es)

Im "Tom" Jae-hyeon

Legend
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (L) Loaned out
  • Substitute
  • Injury / Illness

Latest roster transaction: 30 December 2021.

Overwatch

History

Talon Esports joined the professional Overwatch scene in March 2017 by signing a Taipei-based roster, with Hongkonger Yip "Moowe" Chi-yeung being the only non-Taiwanese player. The team disbanded in late July after failing to qualify for the second season of the Overwatch Pacific Championship.[34]

In early 2018, Talon Esports signed an all-Korean roster to compete in the Pacific division of Overwatch Contenders (later Pacific Contenders). The team has since underwent several roster changes and topped various Pacific Contenders seasons.

Talon Esports accepted an offer for a spot in the Korean Contenders Trials after the Pacific Contenders was discontinued.[35]

Current roster
Talon Esports Overwatch roster
PlayersCoaches
Role Handle Name Nationality
Damage  Arrow  Park Min-seok  South Korea 
Damage  FEATH5R  Lee Seung-woo  South Korea 
Damage  Stellar  Lee Do-hyung  South Korea 
Tank  JJANGGU  Cho Myung-heum  South Korea 
Tank  PIGGY  Shin Min-jun  South Korea 
Support  CH0R0NG  Seong Yoo-min  South Korea 
Support  Swoon  Jang Sung-won  South Korea 
Head coach

Chris "spazzo" Infante

Legend

Latest roster transaction: 30 June 2020.

Arena of Valor

The team is currently known as "KFC Talon Esports" as they are sponsored by KFC.

Current roster
Nat. ID Name Role Joined
Happy Aum Chatchanapong Jungle 30 July 2019
IpodPro Pakkapon Saethong Mid 17 August 2020
Erez Pasu Yensabai Abyssal Dragon Lane 17 August 2020
Tony Eikapong Korhonen Support 17 August 2020
Coupe Piyalap Ungprasert Abyssal Dragon Lane 26 May 2020
NTNz Thana Somboonprom Dark Slayer Lane 14 January 2021
MOOP Peerawat Piachart Jungle 18 January 2021

Funding

Sean Zhang, CEO and co-founder of Talon Esports, announced on 12 October 2020 that his organisation had secured US$2 million in seed funding from investors, including Felix LaHaye.[1]

References
  1. "Talon Esports raises $2M seed round to accelerate growth in Asia Pacific". en.prnasia.com. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  2. "New Wave Esports Invests in Talon Esports". Canada NewsWire via Bloomberg. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  3. Narayan, Niji (20 November 2019). "New Wave Esports Announces Strategic Investment in Talon Esports". European Gaming Industry News. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  4. "Full interview: New Wave Esports invests in Talon Esports as it looks to grow presence in Asia". Proactiveinvestors UK. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  5. "Talon Esports Secures League of Legends Spot in the Pacific Championship Series". New Wave Esports. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  6. Tuting, Kristine (19 December 2019). "Here are the teams for the League of Legends Pacific Championship Series (PCS) 2020". ONE Esports. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  7. Chen, Ethan (22 December 2019). "League of Legends Pacific Championship Series teams revealed for 2020". Daily Esports. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  8. Amos, Andrew (18 August 2019). "Who has qualified for the 2019 Overwatch Contenders Gauntlet?". Dot Esports. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  9. Zijdenbos, Arend (2 January 2020). "Hanabi joins the Talon Esports League of Legends team". Daily Esports. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  10. Zijdenbos, Arend (6 January 2020). "Talon Esports complete 2020 League of Legends roster". Daily Esports. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  11. Zijdenbos, Arend (4 January 2020). "Talon Esports reveal two new players for 2020 roster". Daily Esports. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  12. Tan, Amanda (9 April 2020). "PCS 2020 Spring Playoffs: Everything You Need To Know". ONE Esports. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  13. O'Dwyer, Samuel (3 May 2020). "Talon defeat Machi to claim PCS Spring Split title". Dot Esports. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  14. "Talon Esports Upsets Machi to Win Inaugural PCS Spring Split 2020". Esports by Inquirer.net. 3 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  15. Ashton, Graham (18 June 2020). "PSG Enters League of Legends Pacific Championship Series With Talon Esports". The Esports Observer. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  16. Esguerra, Tyler (18 June 2020). "Paris-Saint Germain re-enters League of Legends by partnering with PCS' Talon Esports". Dot Esports. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  17. @PSG_Talon (9 July 2020). "Some sad news today to update everyone... Today we are announcing the departure of Candy. Thank you Candy for your passion and dedication to our team. We will always be grateful of your contribution and wish you the best back home! @lolesportspcs #PCSLOL #BLEEDCRIMSON" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  18. @lolesports (28 August 2020). "Congratulations to @PSG_Talon on qualifying for the 2020 World Championship! #Worlds2020" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  19. O'Dwyer, Samuel (30 August 2020). "Machi Esports defeat PSG Talon in PCS Summer Split final". Dot Esports. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  20. @PSG_Talon (16 September 2020). "Official Club Statement regarding #Worlds2020 roster. Thank you for all the support #PCSWIN #PCSLOL" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  21. Geracie, Nick; Kolev, Radoslav (25 September 2020). "River & Tank ineligible for PSG Talon in Worlds 2020 play-in; Unified eligible 9/27". InvenGlobal. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  22. O'Dwyer, Samuel (25 September 2020). "PSG Talon upset LGD Gaming in Worlds 2020 play-in stage". Dot Esports. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  23. Esguerra, Tyler (27 September 2020). "PSG Talon qualify for Worlds group stage with impressive comeback win over Unicorns of Love". Dot Esports. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  24. Rand, Emily (11 October 2020). "Group stages complete, quarterfinals set: LoL worlds Group D recap". ESPN. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  25. Chouadria, Adel (31 October 2020). "PCS: Tank leaves PSG Talon, becomes free agent". Millenium US. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  26. O'Dwyer, Samuel (10 December 2020). "PSG Talon signs Maple as starting mid laner for 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  27. O'Dwyer, Samuel (18 April 2021). "PSG Talon crowned champions of PCS Spring Split 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  28. O'Dwyer, Samuel (25 April 2021). "PSG Talon to attend MSI without their starting AD carry". Dot Esports. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  29. Esguerra, Tyler (18 May 2021). "PSG Talon lock in MSI 2021 knockout stage spot with win over Pentanet.GG". Dot Esports. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  30. Kay, Meg (21 May 2021). "Royal Never Give Up beat PSG Talon to qualify for MSI 2021 finals". Dot Esports. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  31. O'Dwyer, Samuel (29 August 2021). "PSG Talon secure Worlds group stage seed, defend their PCS title in thrilling victory over Beyond Gaming". Dot Esports. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  32. Esguerra, Tyler (22 September 2021). "Riot completes group draw for Worlds 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  33. Ray, Nick (17 October 2021). "Fnatic, PSG Talon eliminated from Worlds 2021". Upcomer. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  34. "With the completion of the Overwatch Pacific Championship qualifiers for season 2, Talon Esports were unfortunately unable to secure a spot in the league ..." www.facebook.com. Talon Esports. Retrieved 7 May 2021 – via Facebook.
  35. No, Stephen (4 September 2020). "Blizzard posts Overwatch Contenders update on tournament format changes, content, and 2-way player policies". Dot Esports. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
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