GX Isma: "For me, things like ‘mental blocks’ are just excuses. We're simply not good enough"

"Honestly, they're simply a better team than we are. That's all there is to it."

Just as they did in the LEC Versus,

GIANTX

secured a top-four finish in the Spring Split before seeing their run come to an end with a 0-3 defeat to

Karmine Corp

. Although the Spanish organization had successfully upset

Team Vitality

the day before, the challenge proved too great this time around as they fell short of advancing any further.

Following the match, GIANTX jungler

Ismaïl “Isma” Boualem

spoke with Sheep Esports to reflect on his team’s Spring Split campaign, assess the progress they have made, and discuss the areas the roster will need to improve upon if it hopes to take the next step during the Summer Split.

What’s your first feeling after the series?

Ismaïl "Isma" Boualem: “They were just much better than us today. We had a good draft in Game 1 and managed to make a few things happen, but honestly, they're simply a better team than we are. That's all there is to it.

You had a strong performance yesterday against Vitality, who finished as the first seed. How were you feeling mentally after that win and heading into today's match?

Isma: I was happy, obviously, because we won, but yesterday's games weren't that convincing either, even if we got the 3-0. To be honest, I've always thought KC are much better than Vitality. KC, KOI, and G2 are way ahead of everyone else. Vitality had a really good regular season, and I don't think they're bad at all, but I still think those three teams are on another level. Yesterday I was like, “Nice, we won,” but I already knew we had to be careful today because KC were really good.

This is now the second time you've been eliminated by KC after finishing fourth. Do you feel like this is currently the ceiling for GIANTX?

Isma: Right now, yes, definitely. We've lost 0-3 to them twice in a row, so for the moment I'd agree with that.

How do you break through that ceiling?

Isma: It's the same as always. There's no secret. We need to practice better, identify what's not working, and try to fix things. It's not just one issue, though. There are a lot of areas we need to improve. We have to put in more work and work more efficiently.

In Game 1, you gave KC an opportunity to come back after conceding two kills near Baron. How do you explain those kinds of mistakes still happening when this roster has been together for quite some time? Why is it that in crucial moments, the team still struggles to stay on the same page?

Isma: We were actually on the same page. We were focused on the Baron, but the play was just bad. Maybe it was pressure, maybe fear of winning, maybe stress. I think it was a mix of all those things.

Before yesterday's match, people talked about GIANTX having a playoff mental block. After beating Vitality, it felt like things might finally be different, but then you lost 3-0 today. You mentioned moments of stress and hesitation. Doesn't that point to some sort of mental block?

Isma: I don't think there's a mental block. We're just not good enough. For me, things like ‘mental blocks’ are just excuses. We're simply not good enough. From Game 2 onward, it was completely downhill. Even in Game 2, there wasn't much there. We just weren't good enough.

Looking at your own performance this split, do you feel you've improved? Are you playing better than before?

Isma: Yeah, I've improved a bit. I think I'm playing better, but it's not anything crazy. I think I've been playing better since last Summer Split than I was before that, but there's still a lot I need to work on.

Would you say this has been the best split of your career?

Isma: I'm not sure. I also played really well last Summer Split. Maybe it is my best split. I've had a lot of good splits in the LEC so far, even if I don't remember all of them that clearly.

The next step for you is the Summer Split. How do you think the team can improve? Is there a specific area you need to focus on?

Isma: There's no single priority. You need to be good at everything. I don't know exactly what the biggest issue is yet because I still need to review the games. We just need to be better overall. It's not one specific thing. We need a better understanding of the map, better mechanics, and stronger early games. There are a lot of areas we can improve. We'll set goals, of course, but first I need to go back and review the games to identify the biggest problems.

On a more personal note, you were expected to play for Belgium at the Esports Nations Cup. What goals do you think are realistic for the Belgian team as it's currently projected?

Isma: To be honest, I was invited, but I'm not going to play in the qualifier with them. I don't know whether they'll make the main event. There are teams like Sweden and Germany that look really strong. I haven't followed it too closely, to be honest. The qualifier doesn't really interest me that much.”