Could this finally be the right split for
? Despite finishing in the top four during the
LEC Versus, the players of the Spanish organization had not fully convinced, largely due to their instability and several mid-game errors that did not seem befitting of their final standing. Since the start of the Spring Split, however, the team has presented a different face, opening the campaign with three victories, including two more secured last weekend, to place themselves at the top of the standings.
Among the players currently performing well is the team’s jungler,
, who has delivered three solid BO3 series and appears to have rediscovered the aggression he displayed toward the end of last year. The Belgian player spoke with
Sheep Esports following Monday’s victory over
to reflect on his team’s recent performances.
What's your first feeling after the game?
Ismaïl “ISMA” Boualem: “I'm happy because we won, but individually, I played badly in game 2 during fights. With the lead I had, I think I should have carried. It's fine, but we could have done better.
You’re making a convincing start with three first wins. What do you think you improved compared to the end of the last LEC Versus?
ISMA: I think we are playing more aggressively, and I think we're better in fights, like around the drakes, etc. I think we improved our early game, too. In general, we play more aggressively, we leave less space to the enemy team. I think it's harder to play against us now than before.
From a spectator perspective, last split it seemed like the botlane could hide some mistakes made by the topside, while now, it seems to be the opposite. Is it something positive or negative for you?
ISMA: Players’ forms differ. Sometimes I will play better, sometimes
(
Oh Hyeon-taek) will play better, sometimes
(
Adam Jeřábek) will play better. It's important to have backup. So I think it's positive to show that everyone can carry in a way.
Jackies is in a pretty good form recently. He won his third MVP in three games. What’s the secret of his recents good performances?
ISMA: I think that he plays a lot more freely. He plays champions that characterize him better. Overall, I think that he enjoys it more. Also, the playstyle of our team, based on aggression, is putting him further forward. That’s all of that.
And personally, are you satisfied with your first games this split?
ISMA: Yes, I think I am fine, even if I can always do better. I am happy about my evolution; there’s progress. I feel like I am playing way better than before, but I always need to do more.
What’s your opinion on the current jungle meta? Bruisers are still a priority, but we saw a few more setup champions recently, including you on Sejuani today. What do you think about it?
ISMA: You can play a bit of everything in jungle now, depending on what you prefer, and it will work. It can be Sejuani, Skarner, Maokai. It’s still oriented around AD bruisers, but once champions like Vi, Xin Zhao, Jarvan IV are out, you can go whatever you want. If someone is good on Naafiri, he can play it. I think I am good on Sejuani, so I play it. It’s everyone’s preferences.
Where would you rank GIANTX among the other LEC teams right now?
ISMA: For now,
,
and
are the top 3 in the league by far. I think that they are currently still better than us. If we go to a best-of-five against them, they will be better. But I'm very happy with the progress we've made with the team. Compared to the last split, we're playing much better, and we're having more fun overall. I'm confident about what’s coming, but we have to keep the step up.
And for the ones behind you, you were in top 4 last split, do you think that some teams can now contest your current spot?
ISMA:
are playing good.
are strong as well. Even
are not that bad, even if they did wrong sometimes. I think that there is the top 3-4, and then NAVI and Vitality are above the other teams. But I think everyone has their strengths. I can see a Heretics-Navi and a Heretics winning, it wouldn't surprise me that much. So I'd say it’s rather similar.”
