The 2025 VALORANT Masters Toronto has delivered one of its biggest upset yet, as tournament favorites Gen.G were stunned by Wolves Esports in a swift 0-2 defeat, dropping the Pacific powerhouse into the lower bracket earlier than anticipated. With expectations sky-high for Gen.G, the team now face an uphill battle to stay alive—starting with a high-stakes elimination match against G2 Esports. In the aftermath of the loss, Gen.G’s initiator Ha “Ash” Hyun-cheol sat down with Sheep Esports to reflect on the disappointing result, his first experience on the international stage, and the guidance he’s received from the team’s veteran core.

What do you think went wrong against Wolves, and what could your team have done better?

Ha "Ash" Hyun-cheol: "Especially on the first map, Split, we were already up to 11 rounds. But because of some mistakes we shouldn’t have made and missed shots, we kind of let Wolves catch up and overtake us. A similar thing happened on the second map too.

You’re the only team to pick Tejo at Masters Toronto so far, but you’ve lost both maps where he was used. Do you still think Tejo is a viable agent, or have these losses changed your opinion?

Ash: Even though Tejo got nerfed, I still think he’s viable on Split and some other specific maps. Even after today’s losses, I don’t feel like it means Tejo isn’t usable. I still think he’s a good pick on certain maps.

You and Jung "Foxy9" Jae-sung are the youngest on Gen.G. What’s your relationship like with the older players, like Byeon "Munchkin" Sang-beom and Kim "t3xture" Na-ra? Do they feel a bit like older brothers, and have they helped you adjust to the team?

Ash: The older players, from the start until now, have treated me and Foxy9 really well. They’ve made us feel comfortable in the team, always encouraging us and giving a lot of advice, both in-game and out of the game. They really try their best to support us, and because of that, I feel comfortable around them too — like real brothers. They helped me a lot when I first joined to adjust to the current roster.

This is your first international event, both with Gen.G and as a player. How has it been adjusting to being abroad and playing in Toronto? Has it been difficult, or do you feel comfortable now?

Ash: At first, when I came to Toronto, everything felt really new. But now I feel pretty well adjusted — to the arena, the fans, all of it. Game-wise, though, when we’re in the lead and the other team starts catching up, a lot of mistakes start happening. In those moments, I had a hard time figuring out how to deal with that pressure and find a solution.

You’re now headed to the lower bracket and will face G2 next. What are your thoughts on that matchup? Do you think Gen.G can bounce back from today’s loss?

Ash: Since we’re facing G2 in the lower bracket, I’m honestly a bit nervous and a little scared. But I also think it’s going to be a really fun and entertaining match for the fans. After losing 2-0 to Wolves today, I’ve been thinking about my own mistakes, and I’ll try to fix them for the next matches. I’m going to do my best.

If you were stranded on a deserted island with your teammates, who would be the best to help you survive — and who would be the worst?

Ash: First, the one person I wouldn't want to be stranded with is Foxy9. He’s a really bright and energetic guy, which is great — he’s super positive. But because he’s so energetic, I feel like he’d just drain all my energy if we were stuck together.

If I had to choose someone to be stranded with, it’d be Karon (Kim Won-tae). He reads a lot of books from time to time, and I feel like he has a lot of useful knowledge that could actually help us survive."