Sentinels emerged victorious in the VCT Americas Kickoff, defeating the Brazilian organization and once again facing LOUD in a critical series. This time, SEN needed to overcome their Americas rivals to advance to the Masters Madrid upper bracket final. In a tense and closely contested series that saw two maps go to overtime, Sentinels secured a nail-biting 2-1 victory.
Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games
Impressive clutch rounds, team morale, and accolades for LOUD
Reflecting on the win, coach Kaplan commended Zellsis for boosting the team’s morale, especially after losing map two in overtime prevented them from securing a 2-0 lead.
“Zellsis did an incredible job of lifting our spirits during Icebox. I am really proud of the team, as we have managed to rally multiple times. When morale drops, especially after losing a map, we regroup and push ourselves to perform better. Zellsis has been instrumental in this aspect, making it easier for me as a coach.”
Former LOUD player Sacy praised his former team for their performance and highlighted the intense back-and-forth nature of the series.
“Both teams were constantly adapting to each other, making every round fiercely contested. The close rounds made the series very balanced and challenging. It’s not fair to say that we could have easily secured the series with some tweaks, as LOUD put up a strong fight.”
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games
TenZ lauds opponents and reflects on personal growth
TenZ, renowned for his duelist skills and now a flex player, praised LOUD as a formidable team with strong shooters, emphasizing the confidence gained from overcoming such tough opponents.
“Defeating LOUD was a significant achievement for us and boosts our confidence for the tournament ahead. If we can take down LOUD, we can face anyone. Moving forward, our spirits are high.”
TenZ also discussed his current form and evolution in his new role, expressing a belief in continuous improvement and a positive learning attitude.
“I feel that this version of me, focusing on teamwork and creativity, is the best so far. I have room to grow and constantly strive to enhance my skills. Every tournament, win or loss, contributes to my development as a player.”
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games
Looking ahead, Sentinels will face Gen.G for a spot in the Grand Final. TenZ, focused on the team as a whole, emphasized the need to respect Gen.G as a top-tier opponent.
“We are confident moving forward against Gen.G, but we must not underestimate them. They are a formidable team in this tournament. The comparisons between individual players are interesting, but the team performance is what matters the most. We will see what happens in the upcoming match.”
Read next: Gen.G Munchkin: We're not a team that was easy to assemble.
