Gen.G achieved another victory over their Pacific rivals, Paper Rex, to reach the VCT Masters Madrid upper bracket final. We had the opportunity to speak with Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom about the win, their control over PRX, and their aspirations for the rest of the tournament. Munchkin also shared insights on why Gen.G’s fresh roster has been performing so well.
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games
Lee Jones (Esports.net): Despite the generally dominant series, you almost let an 8-1 lead slip in map two before eventually winning the game.
Why do you think PRX were almost able to make that turnaround and how were you able to stop them?
Munchkin: We could have played a bit easier in the beginning of the game, but we made mistakes after we got 8 rounds. I think that’s how the opponent got the momentum and we got in a bit of a mess. So we kept talking to ourselves while getting composure back, like:
“Let’s keep the momentum, let’s keep the mentality, let’s not make mistakes”.
So I think we were able to win with fewer mistakes.
Lee Jones: You’ve now beaten Paper Rex multiple times already this season and you said on the broadcast that they’d be your preferred opponents if you reach the final.
Is that because you feel you’ve got their number?
Munchkin: We actually faced PRX twice before, so we started to know PRX very well and we started to know how to respond to them, using our strengths. We know how to handle their teams, handle their tactics, as well as improve on our strengths in order to beat all their tactics and their plans.
Lee Jones: Before the tournament, f0rsakeN said PRX were playing at a 6/10. Before the bracket stage, he said they’d gone up to an 8/10.
How do you rate PRX’s current level after beating them again today?
Munchkin: I think that the team comp is not as good as last year’s. But if you look at their Sunset playstyle, I think that they’re one of the best teams on that map. With more time and experience,
I’m sure that they’re going to get better on every other map as well. I think they will be better. At the moment, I think they’re at about 7/10.
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games
How do you feel going up against Sentinels or LOUD in the upper bracket final tomorrow?
[This interview was conducted before the conclusion of the SEN/LOUD series]
Munchkin: It would be our first time facing Sentinels and I think that’s the most difficult time for an opponent to face us, that’s why I want to face Sentinels. But I think it’s the opposite for LOUD, we have already played them a couple of times and I think we will be able to play against their tactics.
Lee Jones: Your roster is very new, yet has still started 2024 extremely well with the Pacific Kickoff win and now an already-deep run at Masters Madrid.
How pleased are you with the way the team is gelling and how much better do you think Gen.G can get over time?
We’re not a team that was easy to assemble, so we felt that we had to work harder and I think we’re still working hard to achieve our goals. I think we’re a team that gets better with more experience, so experience is important.
How have you enjoyed Madrid? Have you had a chance to explore the city at all?
Once we had our playoff spot confirmed, we went to visit the city during the off days. I thought Europe has very beautiful cities and Madrid is also a very good city and the food itself is very delicious.
Read next: VCT Masters Madrid 2024 Power Rankings
