In an interview with esports.gg, TL’s keiko reflected on his performance, consistency, and focus on upcoming challenges.
Team Liquid outperformed BBL in the VCT EMEA: Stage 2 Upper Bracket Finals, securing a 2-1 victory. This win guarantees their spot in the Grand Finals and ensures Team Heretics’ qualification for Champions. In an interview with esports.gg, TL’s keiko reflected on his performance, laughed off the unusual “defuse” moment, and reaffirmed his commitment to working even harder for the team’s success.
TL keiko on building consistency and securing Team Heretics’ qualification to Champions
Esports.gg: What did you feel when nAts pulled out that ace to take this match overtime?
TL keiko: It was one of those games where nAts just pops off and catches every timing and kills everyone. I was lowkey relieved he did that.
What did you prioritise to fight against BBL to ensure a victory today?
TL keiko: We needed to anti-strat heavy, we had to play a little bit differently. It was a very high-pressure game. Personally, I made a lot of mistakes, but in the end, we won.
In your content moment with host Yinsu before the match, you talked about standing out among other controllers for being aggressive. How do you think that reflected in your performance?
TL keiko: Today, it was definitely my day. I think I trolled a lot with my smokes today, not going to lie, I made a lot of mistakes, but I'm here to fix them.
Compared to the start of the split, what’s the biggest improvement in your own game that you’re proud of?
TL keiko: I think that finding the consistency I wanted to find from Kickoff to Stage, figuring out what makes me play good. I did a lot of experimentation, I tried a different routine, a different calling, a playstyle. Just how good I play consistently was shown in this Stage. Today, it was my worst game. It is what it is.
How do you feel about saving Team Heretics?
TL keiko: They were begging me, "Please win, please win, we need to go to Paris."
Did you feel the pressure when they were up there watching?
TL keiko: No, I didn't even see them until the game was over. Then they were like, "Thank god, you won!" It feels very good to win for them. "Pati" is very happy for that; helping my boy with that is nice.
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Predictions and road to success
Between NAVI, BBL, and GIANTX, who do you think you will face in the Grand Finals?
TL keiko: NAVI should probably win today, they have been playing really good. I think it depends on what happens today, depends on the momentum NAVI gets. If GIANTX wins, I think we will face BBL in the Grand Finals. If NAVI wins, I think maybe NAVI.
With this win, you are in the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Grand Final. How does this make you feel? What do you think is the biggest strength Liquid can carry forward from today?
TL keiko: I think that we trolled Sunset today. The fact that we still won is crazy for me.
What happened in that defuse round?
TL keiko: I don't want to talk about that, oh my god! [laughs] I was talking to Kamil (Kamo's real name), "Go get the op, and then he said I won't go," and started running away. The other two players who were holding the bomb thought "the bomb is going to kill him anyway", and went for the op. Kamil was already back there. And then he tapped the spike. I was dead already and said, "Guys, he can diffuse it." We were so focused on the next round, we didn't even think of him.
What message do you want to leave to your fans?
TL keiko: I'm going to work harder for Finals and for Champions because I need to level up my performance. Individually, I think it is important and will help us.
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