MKOI Resett: "We can deliver a much better performance at Worlds than last year"

Exclusive interview with MKOI's director of operations Resett, during SL Finals

🇬🇧English

"The merger was a tough blow because Riders was very special project to Fernando [Piquer] and me"

Within the framework of the Superliga Dominos Final Four held in Madrid, Sheep Esports had the opportunity to speak with Luis "Resett" Filgueira, one of the most recognized figures within the Spanish esports scene. With a long career as a director of Movistar Riders and his current role as Director of Operations at Movistar KOI, Resett shared his vision with us on the merger of the organizations, KOI Fénix’s season in the Superliga, and the demanding competition schedule of the LEC team.

How are you feeling since MKOI's first LEC title, and what is your life like right now?

Luis "Resett" Filgueira: "Honestly, life is a bit hectic between Berlin and Madrid these days. But I’m really happy with everything we are achieving and how our teams are performing.

What do your tasks consist of at Movistar KOI as Team Operations Director?

Resett: Basically, since the merger with MAD Lions and KOI, the titles have changed a bit. The previously known “Esports Directors” in this company are now referred to as "Team Operations Director". So, my functions are fairly similar. I make sure that all teams have the necessary resources to compete. I’m obviously in charge of managing the budget and overseeing signings or contractual negotiations that need to be done.

What did the merger with MAD Lions, Movistar Riders and KOI mean to you, considering your dedication to the Riders project?

Resett: It was a bit of a tough blow, because it meant leaving behind a brand like Riders, which was a very special project to people like Fernando (Fernando Piquer, KOI's co-owner) and myself. But I think it was an opportunity that all three brands—MAD Lions, KOI, and Riders—couldn't miss. I believe we complemented each other with what each brand was missing. That makes it, for me, a brilliant merger. Obviously, there are still many things that we need to change. Working on your own project while also getting three companies to move towards the same goals is not an easy task, but I think that a year and a half later, we can say it has gone quite well so far.

How did you handle the exponential growth that came with this merger? Not just in terms of the fanbase, but also the media pressure and even your own internal pressure?

Resett: When we made this merger, we wanted it to be as successful as possible. In my opinion, the internal pressure is quite similar, because at Movistar Riders we always strove for the best, both performance-wise as well as management-wise. The external pressure is a bit different. Now, in every decision we make and in every day-to-day problem we face, we have to factor in the huge number of people behind us and take them into account when making decisions.

On paper, this Superliga roster was a more development-oriented project. Did you expect them to match or even surpass the previous roster?

Resett: We were late in recognizing the needs of the club and its fanbase with the former Superliga roster—and perhaps even of the industry as a whole—to align ourselves and create the best possible Superliga project. I think this current project aligns very well with all those needs. I had high expectations because I believed we were signing really promising players. So, I think the results have been very good. I’d say that the season was better than what could be considered an average season, which for me would have meant matching the results of previous years. The fact that we reached playoffs means that we can put a green check mark on the season.

Will Movistar KOI Fénix remain true to its philosophy of truly being an academy and focusing on long-term development?

Resett: As of today, yes. There’s still a long way to go until 2026, and we need to close down the budgets, define our objectives, and see where the club wants to head and in what position we will be next year… But for now, we all agree that on this, this is the path we want to follow. It’s the most sustainable approach for the ecosystem, and it also allows our fanbase to feel represented by it. I think the players we had this season performed well and deserve at least the chance to continue.

Do you think any player could already be scouted by any LEC teams, including MKOI?

Resett: In 2026, I think it’s complicated. I believe the players still need a bit more time. That said, I do think that Time (Tiago Almeida) could get some interest from teams, because he’s already had it in the past. Not in this offseason, but in the one when he signed with us, some LEC teams approached him. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens again. As for the rest of the players, I think they still need to develop, but they all have the potential to reach the LEC if they keep growing as expected.

Do you carry out any joint exercises with the LEC team? Are there any interactions beyond the usual processes?

Resett: We also work on a very individual basis with the players, and our LEC players do one-on-one sessions with our Superliga players. This has indeed been complicated lately, because the LEC players went to MSI, the Esports World Cup, took some rest before starting the Summer Split, etc. So there hasn’t been much overlap in time when both teams were active at once. Melzhet (Tomás Campelos), Disgrace (Jorge López), and I already have plans for next year to improve these dynamics. We could even explore the idea of having the Superliga team spend some time in Berlin during the season. These are all draft ideas—some may happen, some may not. But the goal is to keep working in that direction.

Also Read: HRTS Rin: "I can compete with the middle of the pack AD Carries in LEC"

How do you assess the main team’s season so far? If you make it to Worlds, do you think you can perform well—or will the story of the MSI repeat itself?

Resett: I’m optimistic. The team is growing a lot. We saw in the group stage that we were more solid, showing more maturity from the players. I think all the work we put in at the Esports World Cup and MSI is now paying off. I don’t see major issues—of course, there are in-game things to improve—but I don’t see any conflicts between players or a bad atmosphere whatsoever. We’re in a really good spot. I think the format doesn’t really suit a team that can perform consistently over a long season. If we fail once, we’re out—there’s no room for mistakes. But I believe the team is ready not only to qualify for Worlds, but also to aim for the Summer Split title. I also think we can deliver a much better performance at Worlds than last year. That said, I don’t think the formats are the best, either for the development of our players or the fans.

Any final message for the fans?

Resett: Well, just that they’re an incredible source of strength and support, and that we hope we can finish the year bringing them a lot of joy with the LEC team. We also hope that the new VALORANT roster we’re building will make them happy as well, and that the academy can reach a Final Four like this one soon, so we can have more in-person meetups with them."

Header photo credit: Movistar Riders