In an interview with esports.gg, GX Cloud reflected on the NAVI match and his preparation for the upcoming match against BBL.
GIANTX defeated NAVI 2-1 to secure their spot in the Lower Bracket Final of VCT EMEA: Stage 2. With the Grand Finals and Champions qualification still on the line, the team faces another crucial challenge. In an interview with esports.gg, IGL Cloud reflected on their tough start in the series, shared thoughts on how the team can improve for upcoming matches, and emphasized that there is always room to grow.
Esports.gg: How did you prepare for today’s match?
GX Cloud: When we were playing Icebox against them, we kind of prepared it, but it didn't go well, and I think we just started slow and ended up losing the first map. It is hard for us to turn in the first map, but on Sunset and Haven, we were pretty confident. We knew they were not their best maps. We had some kind of plan, but not for the whole match; we were constantly adapting to what they were doing.
How did you regain your confidence after losing the first map and not performing so well? What changed in your mindset to go from being 5/16 to 20/09? Was it the agent?
GX Cloud: I was confident in Icebox as well, but I had better situations in the other maps to play. Half of the defense site I was retaking, so it was hard to perform. Overall, the first game was super rough for us, and it is too hard to play good when the game is already rough.
Your Haven run was way more solid than the first match. What errors do you need to work on for your upcoming matches?
GX Cloud: I think we just need to kind of start to play from the first map, instead of doing stuff like this. Playing a best-of-five and not starting from the first map is always rough, so we need to rewatch BBL's match, see how they play, and prepare the maps against them.
Since it is a close schedule between games, do you think you can get enough rest for tomorrow?
GX Cloud: Yes, it is fine.
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Growing as an IGL and preparation to fight BBL
Do you feel this win reflects your growth as an initiator since the start of the split?
GX Cloud: I mean, since the beginning, I was a good initiator, but now it's not about that. My focus right now is to grow as an in-game leader (IGL) rather than simply being an initiator. I try to keep my good past and combine it with my in-game leading.
In those high-pressure rounds, GIANTX looked very well-coordinated. Do you feel the team is fully aligned when it comes to communication, structure, and mutual trust?
GX Cloud: Yeah, of course, but I think there is always room to grow.
Now, you’re facing BBL. What can we expect from that match?
GX Cloud: Nothing, we are just going to play our game and prepare it a little bit differently from today's match. That's it.
Are you confident you can reach Champs?
GX Cloud: I mean, I am confident, and I am confident in my team. We can do it.
Is there any message you want to leave for your fans?
GX Cloud: Thank you for the support, and keep believing in us!
That's all for now. Stick around for more VALORANT news, guides, interviews, and updates on esports.gg.
