On Sunday, Xi Lai Gaming were eliminated from
VALORANT Champions 2025 in Paris following a close series against GIANTX, which was decided on Bind in overtime and on Ascent later. On a post-match press conference, XLG’s players and coach discussed the team’s first year in the VCT, the emotional highs and lows of the season, what inspired their on-stage energy, and how their ambitions for next year have been reshaped by their international experience.
Three of you were part of the team during Nationals, and this was your first VCT season following your win at Ascension. How do you assess your debut year in the VCT?
Deng "HappyWei" Minwei: "I think the year was pretty good overall. The season was tough, but on balance it was positive.
Arthur "Rarga" Churyumov: I honestly didn’t expect to reach international events this soon. I’m very tired now, we played many offseason tournaments, so I’m looking forward to a proper rest.
Aleksandr "hvoya" Eremin: For me, it was a roller-coaster, especially this season, ups and downs from Kickoff until today. I wish we could have closed the year better because I truly believed we could win today. It’s heartbreaking to feel we can take an international match and still lose it. That’s life, we move on and see what comes next.
With Champions next year being in China, do you believe it will be a breakthrough year for the region?
HappyWei: I’m not at my best right now, but I’ll improve. One hundred percent, I believe next year China will go even further. This year was tough; next year we’ll be better.
Question for James "Noman" Man:
At Champs and earlier events, we’ve seen you stand up, shout, and generally serve as the team’s showman on stage. Who inspired that, and what motivates you to do it?
James "Noman" Man: Two things. First, I come from a sports background. Yelling, hyping people up, that’s part of it. Second, my biggest inspiration is, without a doubt, Zellsis (Jordan Montemurro). Everyone knows his personality and what he brings to a team, but I think his mechanics and in-game ability are sometimes overlooked. He inspires me both in terms of energy and decision-making.
Beyond the server, what were some enjoyable off-stage moments you’ll look back on fondly?
Noman: It’s well documented by now that Viva (Lifan Ran) ate too many snails. Watching him devour escargots and be so happy about that first bite was a highlight for me.
Question for Aleksandr "hvoya" Eremin:
Considering the team’s experience this year, what are your expectations for next season?
hvoya: It’s hard to predict because we don’t yet know who will stay or leave, even for me. I hope to stay, but we’ll see. In general, I want us to be more consistent and much better than this year. I expect us to contend in every stage we play and qualify for all international events. That’s what motivates me to work harder.
Photo by Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
What, in your view, allowed GIANTX to claw back?
hvoya: As I said on stage, we started to play with fear and gave too much space, especially on Bind. There were rounds where we stacked four on A and still played from the back site for some reason. I don’t know why we were scared to take space and fight, when they only had Gekko flash to execute. We also had macro issues closing Bind. On Ascent, I think we were fine overall, but there were some unlucky moments Cloud (Kirill Nehozhin) flooded from Heaven and killed Tree, then a right-click flash that led to another kill at A. So I’d say Bind was experience and macro; Ascent had a bit of misfortune as well.
Question for Arthur "Rarga" Churyumov:
How did you view the head-to-head in the Duelist matchup against Eduard-George "ara" Hanceriuc ? How do you assess his performance and your own?
Rarga: ara played really well. He doesn’t get scared; he plays his own game. My performance was poor. I couldn’t create space or find the entries we needed. I’ll work to fix that.
Question for Lifan "Viva" Ran:
This was your second international tournament. In Toronto you seemed very nervous; this time, you looked more comfortable. What changed, and what new ideas will you take forward?
Lifan "Viva" Ran: After the offseason, we met more overseas teams and players, and that helped. Last time, the unfamiliar environment affected us. This time I wasn’t as nervous. Playing at Worlds-level events builds confidence. If I get another chance on that stage, I believe I’ll do better.
Today there was a round decided by 0.01 seconds, it was heartbreaking. Have you thought about that moment, and what’s your biggest regret here in Paris?
Viva: It’s a pity, but that’s the game. We had many chances to close it. Whether it was bad luck or our mistakes, we lost and very narrowly. That’s my biggest regret. As for that round, I’ve replayed it in my head. If I had moved one step earlier, maybe it’s different. I’m sorry."
Header credit photo: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
