In their first-ever match at
VALORANT Champions,
Global Esports suffered an opening defeat to
Team Vitality in Group B. In a balanced group where every match looks set to be a hard-fought battle, the Indian team, despite being its region's No. 1 seed, quickly found itself in a difficult position.
Also playing his first match of the competition during his rookie year, Xavier "xavi8k" Juan made a good impression despite the defeat. The American-Filipino player showed individual strength while continuing to fulfill his role as In-Game Leader. After the match, he spoke to Sheep Esports ahead of their clash with EDward Gaming this Friday.
What is your first feeling after the game?
Xavier "xavi8k" Juan: “My first feeling is disappointment because I knew we could win that. It was a very tight game, and we almost came back down four rounds. I think the better team just won today.
What do you think went wrong in today's game?
xavi8k: As a team, we couldn't close out the rounds that we needed. We got drifted on defense on the last map and they were able to plant the bomb with five seconds left multiple times. So I think we could have stopped that better. And as an IGL, I think I didn't have the best reads against a slow EU team.
On a personal side, it was your first game in Champions. How did you feel about it, and what did you think about your performance?
xavi8k: It’s our first game in Champions and on an international stage like this. Of course, we're going against superstars like Derke (Nikita Sirmitev), Chronicle (Timofey Khromov), who've been in the scene for so long and have won multiple trophies. Now we are going against them and almost beating them. I think we just need to push ourselves a little bit more to close it out. For our future games, I think we will.
You played Masters London earlier this year. Your team met a few issues at that time. What do you think you've been improving since that?
xavi8k: I think the number one thing that has improved would be the team environment for sure. Our team chemistry gets better every time. It's just that, actually, our team environment, our team chemistry, and of course, the strats that we're making have improved.
What do you think is actually the biggest difference between the Pacific and the international stage as you might see now?
xavi8k: The biggest difference would be the different playstyles that everyone does. I feel like EU has a very slow playstyle. And maybe in NA, some teams also have a very slow playstyle. It's just about knowing how to adapt to each type of region's playstyle.
Do you think it's harder to match the other region's playstyle than what you're doing at the regional stage?
xavi8k: I don't think it's harder. It's just that you're not used to it. But once you understand how it is, it becomes easy. I don't think it's harder. We're not used to playing teams like that. Once we will fully understand what they're doing, it will be easier to counter.
From the outside, your group seems to be one of the most balanced and stacked ones, with Vitality but also LOUD and EDG. What are your thoughts on the draw and on the group?
xavi8k: I think it's a good draw. When you look at every group, they all seem stacked either way. I just think we have the best Chinese team in our group compared to the other ones. And, of course, Vitality is the fourth seed, but they're still full of superstars. And now, LOUD, they’re all young cracked aimers. So I think our group is pretty balanced and stacked at the same time.
What do you think about EDG or LOUD, as one of them will be your next opponent?*
xavi8k: It will be an interesting match for sure, because those two teams are really good ones. And I think they're not going to play the way Vitality did by executing at 20 seconds. I think they're going to be very similar to how APAC teams usually play, like, fast tempo, explosive. Looking at LOUD now, they look like Vitality when they were in London. That's how I see them. A bunch of young cracked aimers and they're a really good team. And, of course, there is EDG. They've won Champions before and now coming in with stew (Park Young-chan), who's also a really good player, I feel like they have the chance to go far in this tournament as well.”
*The interview was conducted during the match between EDG and LOUD.
