GX Th3Antonio: "You improve much more in the LEC because ERLs can have you facing top teams one day and really bad ones the next"

In the wake of a tragic loss to G2 Esports, Th3Antonio discusses the circumstances surrounding GIANTX's elimination from the LEC 2024 Season Finals.

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Antonio "Th3Antonio" Espinosa Bejarano, toplaner of GIANTX, competing in the LEC.

"The LEC is the best league, and I love playing the game, so I hope to play there again, but I don’t know yet."

After suffering defeat in the LEC 2024 Season Finals against G2 Esports, Antonio "Th3Antonio" Espinosa Bejarano and his team, GIANTX, have concluded their run in the 2024 League of Legends European competitive season. In the wake of their loss, the Spanish player reflects on the reasons behind the team's downfall, his takeaways from his split in the LEC, his personal growth as a player, and the emerging ERL talents who may follow in his footsteps.

Can you tell me how you approached this match against G2? What were your expectations going in, and how do you feel now after the loss?

Th3Antonio: Well, since we're out anyway, I guess I can say that we had prepared so many cheeses and swaps. For example, I was going to play Ziggs ADC and Patrik was going to lane top with normal ADCs. It was similar to what MDK did, we were ready for that and some other things.

I don’t know, I guess we practiced, but it was hard to pull off some of the swaps and ideas, and we messed up so many times. They punished us well, so yeah, we did really bad today. We were actually expecting to fight them and even win. If I’m honest, I think we could have been winning really hard today, but we messed up so badly.

Would you say that today’s defeat was due to issues with your preparations for the match? It seems like the team didn’t really have a plan B after the Ziggs bans.

Th3Antonio: In my eyes, we had prepared decently and all but... I should never blind-pick Ornn like that. I really don't like it and it’s just not good. So, we had to improvise in the moment because we thought we had other options, but in the end, other bad things happened. So, yeah, it’s definitely a prep issue, 100%.

Given the low expectations going into this split, are you still somewhat happy with your experience with GIANTX in the LEC? Does it make you more determined to surpass yourself next year?

Th3Antonio: I mean, yeah, when I came into the LEC, I knew more or less what I could do. I was really confident in myself and what I could bring to a team. I’ve played with so many good players who then went to the LEC or came from the LEC, so I think I have a pretty good view of the game and I know a lot, thanks to the years I spent with good players. I learned so much and I was ready.

Am I happy? I would say yes, but also no because I think I can do much more. For example, this series felt like a disaster to me—I looked like a complete clown. But I know this is not our level or my level. I could do much more. I’m happy that we made it this far, but I’m not completely satisfied because I know I can do much better. My goal is to keep playing in the LEC, but I don’t know what will happen yet, so we’ll see.

Th3Antonio, reflecting with his team between games. Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

Do you agree with the statement that competing in the LEC for just one split can be more beneficial than spending years in the ERLs? Have you learned a lot from this split with GIANTX?

Th3Antonio: Yeah, for sure. You get used to training every day with top players, the best in Europe. You see so many things in lane, in teamfights, and in every situation of the game. Training every day against the best makes you aware of everything, like what they do and what you should do. You improve much more in the LEC because, in the ERLs, you might play against a top team one day and a really bad one the next. Even though it’s still good practice, the consistency of LEC teams provides much better practice.

Do you feel like your identity as a player has evolved during this split in the LEC, especially considering you were always known as the 'tank player' in the ERLs?

Th3Antonio: Well, I'd say my playstyle this split has been pretty much the same. If I get another chance to play in the LEC next year, I really want to change things up. This split, I mostly played the same picks that I’m used to, with only a few damage-oriented champions like Rumble and Kennen, which were pretty common for me before. I want to take the next steps because I know I can do more, but I didn’t push for that or make others believe in it. I think this is something I want to change because it offers more possibilities in the game and in drafts.

I did not deviate from my usual champion pool because I just enjoy playing engage or tank champions, or teamfight champions like Kennen and Rumble. I like teamfighting, and in my view, ADCs or mid-laners should get more attention than top lane. I see myself in a weakside role, but I can definitely play other kinds of things too.

What are your plans for the upcoming off-season and the next few months? How do you plan to tackle the time until next year?

Th3Antonio: For sure, I will rest a bit because I’ve been playing non-stop since I started with the Superliga in Spring and then came to the LEC. I’ll probably take a few weeks off and then see what happens next year because I still don't know if I'll be playing or not and I don't know what opportunities will arise. I’ll keep playing solo queue, maybe stream, and see. I really hope I can be in the LEC next year because it's what I like. The LEC is the best league to play League of Legends, and I love playing the game, so I hope I can play in it again, but I don’t know yet.

Th3Antonio, ready to get on stage. Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

Are there any players currently in the ERLs who you think might make it to the LEC next year and could become the next big talents?

Th3Antonio: I think there are actually many good players. Most top ERL players are really strong overall, like almost all of them, they're just really good. The top two or three players from each league are all very skilled.

What makes a player stand out in the LEC is often a certain "clutch factor" or something that sets them apart, like having standout moments. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly who will make that leap because there are so many talented players. For instance, Caliste seems like a promising up-and-coming talent, and I’ve seen him perform well in solo queue and competitive play.

If some of these ERL players were put in the LEC, they would likely do well. However, predicting who will become the next big star, the next Caps, is tough because all of them are really good. For example, Stend from Vitality.Bee is very impressive, and I also like Jackspektra. There are just so many talented players in the ERLs right now.

Header Photo Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games