“I’ve seen many comments online saying we’re worse,” EG supamen addressing comparisons to the 2023 roster

The Evil Geniuses organization entered 2024 as VALORANT Champions, but only one player and the coach remain from that team. Newer members, such as Phat "supamen" Le, are ready to prove this new-look roster is the real deal.

After a resilient victory against G2 Esports, they faced LOUD to decide who heads to Masters Madrid. Unfortunately, LOUD came out on top. Following the loss, we spoke with supamen about his past experiences helping his transition to VCT, the match against LOUD, and more.

"Firstly, tough loss, but I just want to say congratulations on making it into the VCT. Can you tell me how you arrived on this Evil Geniuses roster?"

supamen: "After FaZe left Challengers last year, I seeking my own opportunities and whatnot. And one day, while I was at home, preparing for my engagement ceremony, I just got a phone call from Potter. She was just like, 'Hey, are you available to talk?' And we hop on that call, we had a conversation, and then my trial with EG started like a month later. And yeah, now I'm here."

"We first spoke a long time ago, back during the 2021 Last Chance Qualifier. That was when your power had gone out against 100 Thieves. Do you remember that?"

supamen: "Yes, sir <laughs>. I knew your name looked familiar!"

"Well, it’s obviously a different environment. You were in the comfort of your own home back then. Being in the VCT, you’re here on LAN in front of a crowd. What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed, moving from online to the stage?"

supamen: "Honestly, not much. I was a professional CrossFire player. So, I've been to international LANs in China and Brazil. Playing in front of thousands before, so this is completely normal to me, being on back on stage. I love it. And the fact is, I don't have to worry about my power going out mid-match <laughs>."

"And, whether coach Potter or your teammates, how has EG made the transition to the VCT easy for you?"

supamen: "Potter has made everything very easy to adapt to. She has a system that we all follow and we're all on the same page. That's pretty much it. I feel like the difference between Challengers and VCT is that in VCT you're playing against the best of best, right? So, you've just got to work hard. Work harder than you've ever worked before, and just give it your all."

"Okay, well after your match against G2, I spoke with coach Potter and she was super impressed with your performance. She noted your experience in other titles, and how that has helped you be an important and vocal component of this team. You mentioned it already, but what experiences from other games, like CrossFire, have helped you in VALORANT?"

supamen: "Yeah, as I mentioned before, I've been to many international LANs in CrossFire, and I've played against the best of the best in that game. So, I know what the pressure is like, competing on stage like this. I use that to my advantage. And because I know what it is like, playing all the way at the top, I just use the experience and apply it here."

"Well, let’s talk about the match against LOUD now. Ascent was a huge win for EG, on LOUD’s map pick, nonetheless. What’s your standout moment from that first map?"

supamen: "The way that Jawgemo and I were able to play off each other, I think that was the highlight of that match for me. I think that's it."

"Onto Icebox, a reverse scoreline in favor of LOUD here. After the Icebox composition did well against G2, was the team expecting a similar result?"

supamen: "To be completely honest with you, I feel like Icebox was definitely in our favor. You know? I think we missed some kills here and there, but we shouldn't have lost Icebox in my opinion."

"And the final map, Sunset. This is where we saw the huge comeback against G2, and you guys would need to do it again if you wanted to beat LOUD. Unfortunately, they shut you down. Any immediate takeaways from that?"

supamen: "Not really. They were able to capitalize and punish our mistakes very quickly on that map. They are a very well-drilled team. I feel like they have the best IGL in the league, right. And with all the experience that he brings, their team is just very detail-oriented. They know what to do in all situations, and I feel like for us as a team, we're still playing catch up to them at the moment. With time, we'll be there."

"Alright, well this team clearly shows a lot of promise, and is fairly reminiscent of how the world championship roster started last year. Have you heard or read any comparisons to that team, and if so, what are your thoughts?"

supamen: "Yeah, I've seen many comments online saying we're worse. We're the worse version of last year's team and stuff like that. And I honestly don't really mind it. Yeah, we're a team full of underdogs, full of unknowns. Tier 2 talent from NA, who could expect us to be here? And that's completely fine and valid. I feel like we're just going to let the work speak for itself."

"Lastly then, the team has some downtime before the first VCT Americas split begins. In a perfect world, what does the preparation leading into the regular season and the execution look like once you get there?"

supamen: "Right now, we've got to work on being the best in slot for all the roles. For myself personally, I'm going to be working towards being the best in slot Controller in the league. That's going to take some time. It's going to take a lot of time, individually and with the team. I wouldn't say figuring out my mistakes and stuff, but just spending a lot of time in the server, and off the server."

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