In this post-match press conference, NRG reflects on their 2-0 win against GIANTX in the second day of
VALORANT Champions Paris. Players and staff walk through what clicked on Map 1, how preparation shaped the series, and the mindset behind their current form.
Question for Brock “brawk” Somerhalder:
At the start of the season, few expected you to make any tournament, let alone Champs. What enabled this turnaround and strong form?
Brock “brawk” Somerhalder: "It’s a combination of adding the new guys, Skuba (Logan Jenkins) and me, and a lot of hard work from everyone. As noted by Strong (Joe Edwards), rapid progress in a short time owes a lot to the coaching staff. Everyone’s also playing very well right now.
Map 1 was 18–1, what went right? Also, is there a Chipotle in Paris?
brawk: There is, and I had it this morning. On the first map, everything was going my way, so I just kept it up.
Question for Joe “Strong” Edwards:
How have you helped the team reach this level, especially at this event?
Joe “Strong” Edwards: In these events, everyone has the same limited time; the key is using it efficiently. bonkar (Malkolm Rench) excels at managing his own time and getting others to do the same. We’ve kept a steady pace, no days off, continuously iterating, adding, and refining. We took positives and negatives from EDG and DRX and kept building. A lot of credit goes to bonkar.
Question for Logan “skuba” Jenkins:
You face MIBR next, and there’s a familiar face on that team. Thoughts on playing Andrew "Verno" Maust?
Logan “skuba” Jenkins: Bonkar’s best friend. I respect Verno a lot, great kid, very talented. I’m excited to play against him.
You’ve ground through the Americas scene. Has that volume made you resilient, or is resilience more about who you are as people?
Skuba: Coming from Tier 2, you play a ton, sometimes five Bo3s in a day at certain events. Playing one a week is easier by comparison. The volume helps, and it’s part of why Tier 2 players often transition well to Tier 1. But ultimately, a lot of it comes down to character.
brawk: I agree. You have to grind in Tier 2, and not everyone can do it. The volume of matches builds you up; it helps a lot.
Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)
Question for Malkolm “bonkar” Rench:
Sliggy called you probably the best coach in the world right now, noting this is your first Tier-1 cross-sharing. How does it feel coaching this roster, and what are your plans?
Malkolm “bonkar” Rench: This team makes coaching easy. They listen, ask the right questions, and teach me about the game daily. They’re the pros they know the most and need guidance. They’re exceptionally good and united behind the same goal. As for the future, I’m with NRG for another year. I value stability and want to be part of a family at work. Building a dynasty would be great, and a few cold plunges in LA wouldn’t hurt.
Question for Ethan “Ethan” Arnold:
What prep points gave you the edge, and how did they compare to previous matches this event?
Ethan “Ethan” Arnold: We expected a much tougher match given our similar expectations going into the tournament. We anticipated a grind, but it turned out easier. Prep-wise, we followed our standard process. We’re confident in what we need to do, and today we executed very well, hence the lopsided scoreline.
Question for Sam “s0m” Oh:
Comparing the start of the year to now, you’ve had a rocky road but are in a strong position. How do you view the season and your progression?
Sam “s0m” Oh: I try not to dwell on the past, stay present and look forward. This year has been rough: plenty of highs in the off-season and lows in Split 1 and some of Split 2. But everything happens for a reason. We’re peaking at a good time now. From here, it’s day by day.
How has your confidence evolved, and how has sentimentality or team chemistry helped?
s0m: From the start of Champs, most of our matches versus EDG and DRX were very close. Even with wins, we learned a lot. Going into playoffs, we had clear areas to improve, and Strong and Bonk prepared us extremely well. Even after this win, we’ll take lessons forward so we’re even better next match."
Header Credit Photo: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
