MIBR Aspas: "We have Zekken, he’s just really good. I already wanted to play with him and here we are"

Aspas reacts to MIBR’s statement 2-1 win over NRG, explaining the adaptations that turned the series around and the confidence inside the 2026 roster.

After a difficult start in their first match, MIBR managed to defeat NRG. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

"The more rounds there are in a tournament, the happier I am. I like to play a lot of rounds"

After MIBR’s 2-1 win over the reigning VALORANT World Champions 2025 NRG at VCT Americas KickOff 2026, Erick "aspas" Santos spoke to us to break down the series. We discussed the adjustments that flipped the match, why this 2026 roster feels built for big stages, and more topics.

How do you feel after this highly anticipated match against NRG? What stood out to you the most in this series?

Erick "aspas" Santos: "I’m feeling really good; I’m very happy because my team is really good. No matter what happens, I can count on the guys behind me. In the end, a win is a win.

On Abyss, it felt like you struggled and couldn’t find the solution. What was missing for you to close out the map, and what did NRG do that made it so difficult?

aspas: They played very nice anti-strat. More than that, their comp surprised us, it was a double drone comp. We didn’t have info on it because they didn’t play the map. It took time to adjust. But after the first map, we understood how they were playing, so it became easier to handle.

After getting dominated on map 1, what adjustments did you make on maps 2 and 3, especially on defense, to pull off the reverse sweep?

aspas: We played really well there. We had good problems on the second and third map. The big thing is we adapted to the way they were playing. We basically used almost a full map to understand, but after we understood, it made things much easier. On the first map, we only got one round on defense, but on the other two maps, we got so many rounds on defense because we adjusted to their playstyle. It was a very nice game.

Since VCT resumed, we’ve seen you play very aggressively with a lot of power. How would you describe the identity of this new MIBR version?

Aspas: This team is very smart and very experienced. On the T side, we can play slow, but we can also switch fast and play fast. We have a lot of playstyles because we have a lot of experience.

You and Andrew "Verno" Maust stayed, and a new trio joined, including old teammates. How did the integration go, and what changed the most in the way you play?

aspas: It’s Verno, he’s such a smart guy, really good at the game. Then we got Tex (Ian Botsch) and Mazino (Roberto Rivas), my old teammates from 2024. They’re really good and very experienced. We already know how each other plays because we played a whole year together. So we just got back to playing together in a different method; that’s it. And then we have zekken (Zachary Patrone), he’s just really good. I already wanted to play with him, and here we are. He’s too good.

Last week I interviewed zekken, and he said sometimes he can just put smokes down and watch you kill everyone. How does it feel to hear that, and how would you describe him as a player?

Aspas: Very nice player, smart, good aim. I trust him and all my teammates. If something happens, I trust everyone. My team is really good, so if things aren’t working, they have my back. We’re chilling.

aspas and zekken celebrating the win over NRG. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

Was having zekken something you personally wanted for sure? And how close have you become since he joined?

aspas: Yes, I wanted him. We are very close. We play ranked in the morning, we play ranked after practice at night, and we play ranked every day. I think in the past two weeks we played more than 50 games. We’ve been grinding a lot in ranked, having no fun, of course; the ranked was not fun.

As a veteran with so much experience across different teams, what signs tell you this squad can achieve something big this year?

aspas: Everyone is experienced. So even when we go to an international event, and things go out of control, with pressure and all that, everyone has experience to handle it and think of solutions. It’s basically five heads thinking of a solution even in high-pressure moments.

For young Tier 2 Duelists who dream of reaching their level and making it to VCT, what should they focus on first?

aspas: I’m very bad with advice, but get a routine that is good for you and play a lot of games. The more you play, the better you’ll be mechanically. Having a routine is really important.

Verno is often described as extremely strong at reading the game and making calls. As a Duelist, how does that show up for you in-game? How much does it make your job easier?

aspas: He always has the right call for the right moments. Very good to play with my boy Verno. He’s a very good IGL. He hasn’t been IGL for much time, but he’s just good. He’s very smart, and he can shoot as well, so that’s insane.

When you were multi-killing in overtime situations, is pressure a factor for you, or were you always in that flow state?

aspas: The more rounds there are in a tournament, the happier I am. I like to play a lot of rounds. But in ranked, the more rounds there are, the less happy I am. In a tournament, it’s okay; it’s fun.

Your wife is really invested in your career. What does she think about this new team?

aspas: She loved the team as well. It’s a very nice team, so there was no way she wasn’t going to like it. She always supports me in everything. Even in bad moments, she’s on my side, and it helps me a lot. She helps with my routine and daily life too. I’m basically a different person since I met her. I’m getting better in-game and out of game. She’s like my support pillar."