After reaching the
CBLOL Split 1 Finals and representing Brazil at the Esports World Cup (
EWC),
kicked off the second split by defeating
in a rematch of the previous final. With more time working alongside
following an international bootcamp, the team enters the new stage of the season with renewed confidence.
In an exclusive interview with
Sheep Esports,
discussed LOS growth after EWC, explained how the current meta suits his playstyle, reflected on his individual form, and shared the team's expectations for the remainder of the split.
You started the split by winning a rematch of the previous CBLOL final. It feels like LOS isn't just coming into this split with more confidence, but also as a stronger team. Now that you've had more time playing alongside Curse, do you see yourselves as favorites to win this split?
Wallyson "Duduhh" Queiroz: “I think so. I think we're in a really good position as a team. The bootcamp and our experience at EWC were especially important because they really strengthened us. When Curse joined, we'd only been playing together for a short time, so we still didn't understand each other 100%. Spending more time together, especially during an international trip where we could relax a little more and enjoy the experience, was really important.
Right now, I feel like we're in a great spot as a team. We've built a lot of momentum and improved a lot, especially when it comes to our macro. I think our macro is really strong right now, and that makes it much easier for us to win games.
You had the opportunity to compete at EWC in the middle of the season and face some of the best teams in the world. How much did that experience contribute to LOS' growth?
Duduhh: Being able to practice and play on stage against some of the best teams in the world made me really happy and helped me improve a lot. I think scrimming against those teams taught us a lot about the game. It was also really important to experience an international stage for the first time.
Being there with everyone and beating
, who had been a major hurdle for us, felt really good. I also think we could have beaten
, but we made a few mistakes in key moments. Overall, it was an incredibly positive experience for me. I think I grew a lot, both as a person and as a player.
The meta changed a lot heading into the second split, especially after EWC and MSI. How do you see the current meta for LOS? Does it favor your team?
Duduhh: I think this meta benefits us a lot. We were already a strong team in the more traditional ADC meta, with supports playing lane normally. But in this meta, I think we have an even bigger advantage over other teams. We learned a lot about how to play this style during EWC because supports were already roaming a lot back then, so the overall concept is pretty similar.
On top of that, seeing all these different champions being played as ADC makes me really happy. I basically used to play autofill, and I was originally a mid laner. Being able to play champions that I've always been comfortable on gives me an advantage because I don't think most ADC players have the same level of comfort on those picks.
Comparing the LOS that reached the Split 1 Finals to the current roster, where do you think the team has improved the most? Is there anything you're already showing in practice that hasn't fully translated to the stage yet?
Duduhh: I think we've improved the most when it comes to our macro. During the Finals against FURIA, I feel like that was our biggest weakness. Sometimes we'd try to force plays without an advantage, or we'd simply be on different pages. One player wanted to do one thing, another wanted to do something else, and that hurt us a lot.
Now we have a much better understanding of how to play the map, what each player wants to do, and what conditions we need to create. That's definitely where we've improved the most.
I also think we still have a lot more to show on stage. Honestly, I wasn't happy with today's games, and I don't think anyone on the team was either. We could have played much better. Our goal is to have more stable lanes while making our early game, mid game, and late game much more explosive.
Individually, many people already consider you one of the best ADCs in CBLOL, maybe even the best in the league. How do you evaluate your current form? Do you feel like you're playing the best League of Legends of your career?
Duduhh: I'm really happy to hear that. Personally, I genuinely believe I'm one of the best AD carries in Brazil right now, if not the best. Especially in this meta, I feel even more comfortable. That said, I don't think I'm playing the best League of Legends of my career yet. Since coming back from EWC, I don't think I've been at 100%.
I still feel like I have a lot more to show and plenty of room to improve. I think my level dropped a little after the bootcamp, but I'm starting to find my rhythm again, and I feel like I'm getting back to my best.
You've had a packed schedule with international travel and very little time to rest over the past few weeks. Has that fatigue affected the team's performance?
Duduhh: I think it has, at least a little. To be honest, it's been a long time since we've had a real break. We played through the entire CBLOL lower bracket, then the EWC qualifier lower bracket, and right after that we flew to South Korea for bootcamp before heading to France to compete at EWC.
So we really didn't have much time to relax. At the same time, even though it wasn't an actual break, I think spending that time abroad helped us mentally reset. I feel like everyone came back with a refreshed mindset because of that experience.
Next week you'll have a super week against and . How is the team preparing to face two opponents in just two days?
Duduhh: I think we're well prepared. We had a good week of practice, and now our entire focus is on those two teams. Our mindset is to come away with a 2-0 record and put ourselves in a more comfortable position in the standings.
It's going to be a busier week than usual, but we're already used to that. We've played through two full lower bracket runs recently, so playing matches on consecutive days has become pretty normal for us.
