G2 Valyn opens up on competitive life after Masters Bangkok heartbreak

Since Ascension 2023, G2 Esports has been one of the most consistent teams in the VCT, securing second-place finishes in both the 2024 Americas Stage 1 and Stage 2.

As expected, the 2025 VCT season started with a bang for them — G2 lifted the Americas Kickoff trophy and entered VALORANT Masters Bangkok as one of the favourites to claim the title.

G2’s run at Masters Bangkok felt like a dream as the team dominated its way to the Grand Final, dropping only one series throughout the event. The final match against T1 began in dominating fashion as well, with G2 closing out Lotus at 13-5.

However, in a nail biting five-map battle, G2 suffered a heartbreaking defeat, failing to capitalize on an 11-9 lead on the decider map, Pearl.

The squad ultimately lost the map by 16-14 and the series by 3-2. Filled with emotion, G2’s IGL, Jacob ‘valyn‘ Batio, reflected on the life of a competitor during the post-match press conference.

“We played really well, but it wasn’t enough. I told them (the team) that being a competitor is the hardest thing ever, man. You go through the lowest lows and the highest highs with the team you have,” said G2 valyn. 

“There’s no life without losses in anything you do. I told them—what’s life if we’re only winning? We never wanted that. There are still more tournaments ahead, and the experience we gained here will only motivate us to get better.”

Expressing gratitude toward his teammates and encouraging them for the future events, he added: “I wish I could show them how much they mean to me, because I wouldn’t want it any other way. All the hardships we’ve been through—man, you guys are so good at this game. You make every day so fun. It’s alright, we lost. I’m already coming to terms with it because—f*ck it, bro—we’re gonna win the next one 100%. It’s tough, but it happens.”

G2 will return to action in VCT Americas Stage 1, with eyes set on another Americas trophy and a spot at Masters Toronto. The event kicks off on March 22nd and will be streamed live on VCT America’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.