After
MIBR's first victory against
ENVY in
Kickoff 2026, Zachary
"zekken" Patrone spoke with
Sheep Esports to share his first impressions of his new team. From surviving a tense comeback on Corrode to taking on a more supportive Controller role alongside exceptional firepower, zekken explains what the team is already doing well and what still needs improvement.
What’s your overall takeaway from the game against ENVY? And what does it already tell you about what the 2026 version of MIBR can become?
Zachary "zekken" Patrone: "We played solid. Our biggest downside was the Corrode defensive half; we lost a lot of rounds in a row and had some sloppy moments. I’m still happy because what cost us rounds were small mistakes at the end of rounds rather than a huge error at the start. That’s a good foundation. Once we fix those little mistakes, these wins can become very dominant. I’m excited to keep working and clean it up.
You were up 10–2 on Corrode, then ENVY gradually came back before you closed it out. How were comms? Did you feel stress, and what did Andrew "Verno" Maust say during the comeback?
zekken: We were very calm, even while losing rounds in a row. Verno did a good job making sure we saved our ultimates for the important moments and that we didn’t panic. With this roster, we have a lot of experience, so we already knew what we needed to do to win. These are things we’ve seen before and mistakes we know we can fix. We kept our composure and still played the rounds properly. I was proud of the composure we showed.
We’ve seen you move from Duelist to more of a Controller role. Was that your decision, and what makes Controller a good fit for you?
zekken: It was a team decision. I told them when I joined that I’m willing to play anything like Duelist, Controller, or even Initiator if we ever need it. I’ll do what the team needs to win. We decided on smokes because it fits me. On Omen, I can still be aggressive, TP in, flash, make plays, and support my team. On Astra, I can play more disciplined: set stars and let them work. It’s going well so far. I’m using my voice a lot more, especially when I’m not the one entering. Verno is the main caller, but I add things when I can. I’m excited to keep improving.
How does it feel seeing someone like Erick "aspas" Santos doing what used to be your job on Duelist?
zekken: It’s nice. Half the game, I’m just watching him kill everyone. It’s great to rely on him and my teammates. It’s different from playing Duelist, where you feel the weight of needing to go in and get kills. In a supportive role, I throw smokes and flashes, trust the macro, and let the team do their thing. It’s more relaxed.
Aspas and Zekken celebrate their first win at the desk - Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
Everyone’s watching the aspas-zekken duo. On paper, you’re both elite shooters. How do you avoid stepping on each other and build real synergy?
zekken: It’s been easy. We practice together every day, we play the same sites together, and we work on synergy constantly. I try not to smoke off his Operator lines, and I try to flash to enable him. When he creates pressure, it opens me up. He gets the first kill, someone comes to trade, and I’m there for free kills. We also play ranked together after practice, so we keep building that chemistry. It’s been smooth, and we’re working off each other well.
You left an org where you spent years grinding with the same people. Do you still keep in touch with your former teammates?
zekken: Yes, I still keep in contact with a lot of the Sentinels' guys, and I still have a lot of love for them. We work in the same office, so I can literally walk down the hall and say hello. I’m excited to play them; it’ll be a lot of fun. I still care about them a lot.
Individually, do you feel freer or more structured on this team? And what do you think you’ve improved the most compared to the last few seasons?
zekken: I feel good. I wouldn’t say I have more freedom. Duelist has the most freedom. But I have a lot of freedom within my spots, and the team trusts me to play situations my way. It’s been fun working through the micro: how I use utility and how I play off teammates. The biggest improvement is my game sense and my ability to communicate. As more of a supporter, I can talk and call more than when I was the entry. I can guide teammates around my utility. “I’m flashing here, let’s scale, three, two, one, go.” Verno does most of it, but I get my moments too, and I’ve been better at that than in previous years.
Verno is a young IGL who already performed on the Champions stage. How would you describe his leadership calling style, pacing, and mentality?
zekken: His biggest strength is awareness. He calls really well around ultimates and the game state low money situations, what ults the enemy has, what we should do next. He doesn’t miss those details, and you can’t really catch him off guard. It also helps that the players around him have a lot of experience. If he ever gets stuck, which is rare, he has support. He called really well today, and we didn’t even need to rely on a secondary safety net. He’s been great so far.
Every roster communicates differently. What surprised you the most about this team dynamic?
zekken: This team is very calm and patient. One of our biggest strengths is using the clock, letting time and the lack of information create pressure for the other team. It’s nice making the other team feel stressed while we stay aware and still do things correctly. That’s something we’re doing well."
