VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo. Interview after the first victory

After NAVI's victory over KRÜ Esports, the teams held a post-match press conference. The players answered some questions about the team's playstyle on Lotus and Valorant`s current state.

KRÜ Esports performed extremely well on the second map. What do you think held them back from winning it?

ANGE1: They didn't have enough experience on Lotus and against our playstyle on this map, but they still had an insane attacking side.

What is the difference between EMEA and NA reshuffles in 2023?

d00mbr0s: There is a key difference in both shuffles. In NA there are only 4 teams and in EMEA there are 10 teams, so obviously there will be teams that get the short end of the stick.

We are seeing a variety of teams playing different compositions on Lotus. What do you think will eventually become the meta on this map?

d00mbr0s: As ANGE1 said already, it's hard to say. To develop a meta, you need to play official matches and see which team performs the best. It really helps that here we can play scrims with teams from different regions and see how they play.

After the match, you said that there were some technical issues. What happened?

Suygetsu: It was a settings issue. I usually have a full-screen optimization and I had something I'm not used to and they just didn't allow me to restart the game.

It's been a long time since your victory in the world championship with Acend. The game and the tournaments have changed a lot since then. What do you think of your evolution as a player from then to now? How do you fit into the overall landscape where Valorant is at the moment?

cNed:: In 2021 I played aggressively, but I've changed and I am trying to control myself whilst trying to find the perfect mix of both playstyles.

On Lotus, you were the best-performing player on your team. I’d like to know your opinion on Lotusas a map and its place within the general map pool in the competitive meta. And a small question for suygetsu - Why did you bring Pochita with you?

Suygetsu: I think it's my talisman!

Zyppan: I think this map is more attack favored and no team has a good understanding of how to play defense on this map. But ANGE1 and d00mbr0s will fix it and hopefully, by the next game, we'll have a good defense.

Questions to NAVI players start at 20:20.

Recall that in the first match of the tournament, NAVI confidently defeated KRÜ Esports with a score of 2:0. The next match against Team Secret will take place on February 25th at 18:00.