More than 1,000 days have passed since Sentinels’ Masters win in Reykjavik, and now they find themselves in the final of a VCT Global Event once again. Their impressive 3-1 victory over Paper Rex secured them a spot in the Masters Madrid final, where they will face the formidable Gen.G.
Following their win against PRX, we had the opportunity to speak with head coach Adam “kaplan” Kaplan, reflecting on their journey to the final and previewing their upcoming rematch against Gen.G.
Photo by Colin Young-Wolff
Lee Jones (Esports.net): After winning the first two maps, what led to the heavy defeat in map three on Split, and…
How did you orchestrate such a decisive turnaround in map four?
kaplan: Heading into Split, we knew we needed to remain composed and not let the pressure affect us. I continually reminded the team, “What’s the score, guys?” Some players answered incorrectly, but Jordan [Zellsis] got it right by saying, “Zero, zero.”
This correct answer was crucial because Paper Rex tends to get excited and swingy. We knew we could grind out the games, as we’ve done in Korea before. However, we didn’t execute that strategy effectively. I expressed my frustrations during timeouts, urging the team to relax.
As a coach, it’s important to maintain a calm exterior even when feeling angry to help the players relax. Between maps three and four, we addressed our lack of execution and communication on staying calm. Jordan played a significant role in calling out players and allowing them to release their frustrations from the previous map. It was a heated moment, but it paid off as we entered map four with a calm and focused mindset, ultimately securing the victory.
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games
Lee Jones: We saw you slam your chair during the broadcast. Is your hand okay, and have Riot sent you a bill for the damages?
kaplan: Well, there’s an Alecks desk Twitter; how about kaplan’s chair? Maybe it’s part of the brand now—the chair deserves some love too.
Lee Jones: He walked so you could run?
kaplan: That’s right.
Lee Jones: Following yesterday’s game against Gen.G, you mentioned the importance of getting good rest after a demanding schedule.
Will you prioritize similar preparations tonight ahead of tomorrow’s final?
We are in a better position now as we recently faced Gen.G. They haven’t played any additional games since our last encounter, so our focus will be on ourselves.
We need to analyze:
- What aspects of our game today can Gen.G exploit?
- What do we need to work on internally?
- How can we strengthen our team strategically?
Furthermore, we must acknowledge:
“Despite the grand finals, we can’t lose sight of what got us here.”
Our primary focus will be self-improvement and maintaining our composure throughout the final.
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games
Read also: Gen.G Munchkin - We're not a team that was easy to assemble
How has this global event with Sentinels been a learning experience for you as a first-time participant?
This event has been a tremendous learning opportunity for me. I’ve encountered unique challenges that are inherent to international tournaments of this magnitude. It’s been both enjoyable and frustrating at times.
One significant lesson is that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. This is the first time I’ve felt depleted and needed to rally myself to continue. I’m fortunate to have a team, including experienced players, to lean on. Today, the team stepped up when I needed them the most, and I’m grateful for their support.
Another essential aspect is accepting mistakes as part of the learning process. It’s tough to make mistakes, but it’s crucial to learn from them and move forward. Learning to deal with the stakes and taking risks despite the potential consequences has been challenging but necessary.
Learning to be okay with making mistakes and taking risks, especially in high-pressure situations, has been the most challenging aspect for me.
With Gen.G showcasing dominance in the tournament with their all-Korean roster, do you foresee Korean teams dominating the professional scene in Valorant?
Undoubtedly, I have immense respect for Gen.G and the APAC region. While I believe that the Americas region has the highest total skill level across franchise teams, APAC is a strong contender as well. Both Americas and APAC are ahead of other regions in terms of skill and strategy.
Gen.G stands out for their confidence, aggressiveness, and ability to adapt with off-meta strategies. They can swiftly switch between different playstyles, making them a formidable opponent. Facing a team like Gen.G is challenging but also a valuable learning experience.
Gen.G’s unique approach and adaptability make them a formidable force to reckon with in the competitive scene.
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