mezii at BLAST Rivals: “Even if apEX makes the best call, sometimes we’re not executing the best”

Vitality is into the final of BLAST Rivals after a nail-biter win against Spirit. And even though Vitality’s IGL apEX continues to struggle individually, his brother in arms, mezii, believes in him making big rounds. In our post-match interview with the 27 year old rifler, mezii also talks about the areas they want to improve in, and the teams Vitality is looking forward to face, all while the Major looms ahead.

Saumya: So mezii, I wouldn’t say you are in a slump right now, but compared to the first season, this has been a much difficult season for you guys.

How is the team dealing with it?

mezii: I mean, I think we’ve been fine with it. Of course it’s not as many trophies, but at the end of the day we’ve still made some finals, some semi finals and even here, semi final minimum. So I think overall, yeah, of course it’s not been as the same as the first season, but if we didn’t the same as the first scene, I think it would have been really crazy and it’s never been seen before, so we couldn’t expect to have the same.

But we can definitely expect better CS from us. I think we can definitely improve on this. But overall I think the placings in each tournament we can be happy with. Just we can definitely improve on the CS side.

Saumya: So apEX has been struggling a bit individually.

Do you think this is because he’s more focused on calling right now?

mezii: Maybe. I think even past experience for me as an IGL, I think sometimes it can be hard when the team performance is going down a little bit. And as an IGL, apEX has to, he has to focus on the whole team and making sure we’re doing correctly. And I think especially at the moment for us as a team, we’re not playing, we’re not listening very well with each other and making the best plans and executing.

So even if apEX makes the best call, sometimes we’re not executing the best. So it can be hard for him to have to focus on everything, managing us and also individually. But I’m confident in apEX in making really big rounds. Even if he’s not top of the scoreboard, I know he’s going to come big with either calls or clutches.

With the Major right up ahead. How is the mood in the team right now? Are you guys confident or still a bit worrisome about some things that need to be fixed?

mezii: Yeah, I mean, of course we still have some time for the major. We know the some things that need to be fixed. We need to definitely strengthen our map pool a little bit before this. But we’re always confident as a team. We can’t write off what we’ve done throughout the whole year and we know whatever tournament we’re playing, we’re making deep runs. We know we’re contenders to win the title. So we’ve always got to stay confident. We have the players and the experience to do so. So yeah, we have some time to fix a few things for the Major and fix our map pool, but we’re definitely confident.

Saumya: Just one last question.

Who do you think is going to be the toughest opponent for you guys, and which team are you looking forward to face?

mezii: I mean, I think we’re always looking forward to FURIA. I think especially after a couple losses against them, we want to get that revenge. And, yeah, of course, the first hurdle is Falcons, and we need to get past that, but it’ll be a great matchup if we can get FURIA in the final and get that revenge where it definitely matters.