Valyn: “I’d regret it if we lost and I didn’t give 100% energy” – G2 get their first win at VCT Masters Toronto

Their opening loss to Paper Rex was a shock to G2 after going to Masters Toronto as tournament favourites, but the wider context of first-seed defeats gave the team an out. Excuses or not, their next match, against XLG, was already do-or-die. Thankfully for the Americas first seed, they avoided disaster, winning a clean 2-0 and starting to build some momentum of their own for the lower bracket.

G2 adaptation after PRX defeat in Masters Toronto debut

The win saw G2 quickly bounce back following their PRX defeat, and in the post-match press conference coach Josh “JoshRT” Lee was asked on the adaptations made as a result of that loss.

“We needed to focus on ourselves. I think the biggest difference between the PRX game to XLG, for us, it’s just maintaining some discipline on defence, making sure our plans are in order, having clarity in our situational awareness. That fell against Paper Rex, which is kind of uncharacteristic. And we all kind of agreed that it’s, like, early tournament mistakes.

“Generally you tend to have those in your first game just to get used to the environment. There’s a lot of new things going on, and in the early tournaments usually we would scrape by and win. And then we learn and we’re like: “Alright, let’s make sure we’re more disciplined in the next one”. But Paper ReX was just really, really strong. They abused those gaps and took us apart. So that was solved in our VOD review into XLG. We showed two different maps this time, but the same principles are probably applied.”

G2 make do without Tejo, valyn brings the vibes

That mid-tournament learning could not be more pressing in Toronto following the nerfing of Tejo, subsequently removing him from the meta entirely. When asked how it impacted G2 strategically, JoshRT said it would be “delusional” to think that it wouldn’t have had an impact on his team.

“Obviously we had to change a lot of things and I think every team in this tournament has the same problem to solve. So I won’t ever point to that be like: “Oh, that’s the reason why we lost”. I think every team has that problem to solve.

“So yeah, I think we’re just trying our best to figure out what the new meta is. And sometimes your best foot forward won’t always work out in your first attempt and you just have to adjust afterwards.”

In the server, it was G2’s Nathan “leaf” Orf who was the standout performer, going +25 across the two maps, with 42 kills and a silly 303 ACS. Asked how he prepared prior to such a performance, leaf revealed that he simply likes to take things easy.

“I think just keeping it light. I don’t like to overstress about anything, but match days, I try to just keep it light. Keep it easy mentally because, you know, at the end of the day, the game’s already stressful as it is. Pre-game, you don’t need to make it even harder on yourself, and you know, just making sure that I’m doing my job as a player in-game.

In-game leader Jacob “valyn” Batio was noted for his energy during the match, seen giving animated reactions to rounds in contrast to his usually quieter demeanour. This was by design, with valyn explaining how he made the conscious effort to bring up the energy for his side.

“Traditionally I’m more of just like a- I don’t even like giving fist bumps. I just stay focused and don’t move. But this time, Josh said: “Guys, we can’t leave with any regrets”. And I feel like I would regret it if we lost and I didn’t give my 100% energy. And I told them guys, before the match, I was like: “Guys, if we win pistol, take off your headsets because I’m going to destroy you”. And I lifted my mic up and just went crazy.

“And it felt good. It felt like it brought the fire to the team and it’s just a small part of why we won today. But you know, it’s just some energy to bring to the boys — something new. And I think I’m going to try to carry that on more.”

The win not only saw G2 progress in Toronto, but it also guaranteed the team qualification to VALORANT Champions later in the year — the first team in the world to qualify. For coach JoshRT, Champs qualification also brings relief, with Ascension sides all but securing their place in their respective leagues if they manage to reach VALORANT’s marquee event.

“Of course, that’s guaranteed work, job secured. It’s hard, this life is hard because you only have three [global] events, really four now. So any qualification, we’re just very proud of.”