After the 2025 Spring Arena of Glory (ĐTDV) finals ended with Saigon Phantom taking the win, an unexpected incident stirred up the gaming community. During the award ceremony, Team Flash players were accused of refusing to accept the runner-up trophy, sparking rumors and controversy. Many thought the players showed disrespect to the prize and organizers. However, the team’s manager stepped forward to clarify the situation and defend the players.
Facing waves of criticism, Team Flash’s manager officially spoke out to clear the air: “The claim that Team Flash’s Liên Quân players refused to accept the award is completely false,” said Đinh Hồng Phượng. She shared a heartfelt message on her personal page.
Here’s the full statement from the manager:
“After losing game 7, the team seemed to enter another dimension. From the moment they lost, stepping down to the Strategy Room, then going up to the stage to receive the award, and back to the waiting room, it all felt like a broken dream. They barely heard a word I said, even though I was right beside them.
– Hey, look at me!
– Look at me!
– Come on, look here!
– Look here…
And what did I get in response?
Just blank, dazed stares, literally. I even had to Google the word to be sure: “Dazed: a state of losing color and spirit, usually due to shock or strong psychological trauma.”
Each player coped differently with the shock, but they all shared one thing: complete disconnection from everything around them. Their bodies went numb, unable to feel anything from the environment. I won’t go into details about who was how affected or how broken they were, but I can firmly say: the claim that Team Flash refused to accept the award is totally made up.
These kids were on stage for the first time, carrying the huge hopes of those who love them, along with the scrutiny and doubts from curious, judging eyes. Besides a carefully rehearsed opening with a lift table, they were completely overwhelmed by everything happening on that stage. It was their first big stage at Tiên Sơn, and everything was new and overwhelming. Some even had ringing ears back at the hotel, caused by the sudden shift from the soundproofed space with white noise and voice comms to the wild cheering that seemed like it could blow the roof off the Sports Complex. Anyone who was at Tiên Sơn can confirm how intense the atmosphere was to back up this info.”
Beyond clearing up the misunderstanding, the manager shared some behind-the-scenes moments to help the community understand better. She revealed a quick chat with the players:
– June: “What was going on up there? You gotta hold your head high! First time like this, it’s okay. I think you all played well today, just a tiny bit more and we can do it again!”
– One player: “At that moment? I don’t even know how I got on stage! I wasn’t listening to anything anyone said. I just kept thinking why we lost, where we lost, and why I was even there. I just wanted to go home!”
– Another: “Honestly, the lights were so bright and the sound so loud, I had no idea what was happening. Then suddenly people said we didn’t want to accept the award…”
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Some bowed their heads, some were dazed, others seemed lost in a faraway space no one could reach… They gave their all in the finals, and before their tears of regret even dried, they faced baseless accusations from strangers who never spent even five seconds with them to understand their personalities. My players might not be perfect, as you saw on stage, but they are definitely not disrespectful.
I’m their sister. I love them deeply and am always proud of them!
I love them anyway!
p/s: Thanks to Captain Maris and Coach Jinwoo for quickly accepting the award on behalf of the team during that confusing moment.
And thanks to the true Flazers, those who love the team unconditionally. Your support is an endless source of motivation for us to keep fighting.”
After the manager’s explanation, the gaming community responded more positively. Many expressed sympathy and support for the players. However, some still felt that not accepting the award properly was unprofessional and should be a lesson learned.
The rumors about FPT vs Team Flash not accepting the runner-up trophy at the 2025 Spring ĐTDV finals caused a lot of debate among gamers. But thanks to the manager’s detailed explanation, the community now has a clearer and fairer view of what really happened.
