Esports.gg spoke with one of 100 Thieves’ star players, Cryo, following their victory in the Upper Final of VCT Americas Stage 1 Playoffs.
100 Thieves has had quite the resurgence as of late. Matthew “Cryo” Panganiban and company switched gears and are finally on a victorious track. This is proven further by their victory against G2 Esports, giving them a spot in the VCT Americas Stage 1 Playoffs Grand Final series.
VCT Americas 2024: Stage 2 begins after Masters Shanghai
If you missed any of the VCT Americas 2024 action, we’ve got you covered with the full schedule and results of each series.
Brandon Moore
But first, let’s see what Cryo had to say following the G2 Esports match. We spoke with him about how the team turned things around, what kind of evolution he’s seen in himself as a player, and what 100 Thieves must to do keep up their winning ways.
Cryo strongly believes that 100 Thieves is a top team in the world
“Almost a year went by without an official VCT win, before you beat G2. Which you did again here. And since that first win, 100 Thieves has only lost once. What caused such a drastic change in results?”
Cryo: “Obviously, we made roster changes and I think that was probably our most positive change going forward. Just having a new IGL with a new mindset, a new coach putting in a new system for everyone. And I think everyone’s been liking it. Everyone’s just feeling pretty confident.”
“Is there anything you can pinpoint that you personally did to help you start fragging out to get 100 Thieves to this point?”
Cryo: “I don’t think I changed anything individually. The team change is probably the biggest thing for me. And naturally, when you’re winning, you’re going to play better. That goes for anyone on our team.”
“You were coming off two of your best VCT Americas performances ever before this Upper Final. Do you feel like you have to replicate that every game or even one-up yourself to give 100 Thieves a chance?”
Cryo: “I always try my best. I don’t really make it a dedicated goal to one-up myself. I just know that if we all play together and we all play off each other, then we’ll win. Because we believe we’re one of the best teams in the world.”
“Tell me more about that then, the trust you have in your teammates to put up their own numbers alongside you.”
Cryo: “Everyone on this team is a fantastic aimer. If you look at each player in their roles, I’m pretty confident we have some of the best aimers in each of their own designated role. So, it’s all about just being the most confident you can and being able to play off each other.
“We have really good teamwork in the micro moments. And that’s just what practice is for. I mean, we call each other out if we’re maybe playing too individually or not playing off each other when it is probably the best thing to do. We have some of the best aimers on this team. So, it’s all about just having a system to make everyone click together.”
Top seeded teams following Masters Shanghai Swiss Stage get to choose their opponents
The top teams coming out of the Swiss Stage at VCT Masters Shanghai have the opportunity to pick their next series.
Brandon Moore
“You’ve still got the Grand Final left, and I’ve been asking everyone I’ve talked to. What are your thoughts on the advantage of winning, getting to pick your opponent at Masters Shanghai?”
Cryo: “It’s probably a huge advantage, to be honest. I’m not a big fan of skipping the group stage, but being able to pick your opponent? It sounds like a really good advantage. So, I’m sure we’ll be striving for the first seed and getting first place in Americas.”
“Well, this is your first international LAN qualification since Champions 2022 with XSET. That was almost two years ago. How do you feel you’ve evolved as a player since then?”
Cryo: “That’s a good question. I think overall, I’m just playing more roles than I did before, but that’s just because it’s a different team, you know? I’m playing roles that are needed and what fits best for our team.
“Before, I never really had to flex off of Duelist, but now I’m playing Controller, I’m playing a Gekko Initiator. So ,I’m playing three roles so far. I’ve definitely widened my Agent pool, and I think just overall comms and energy.”
“And how do you feel the international talent level of VALORANT has changed since back then?”
Cryo: “Looking at the previous Madrid tournament, you have teams like FNATIC that aren’t qualifying. You have new teams that are up and coming. Like Team Heretics and Karmine Corp.
“I mean, you have teams like Gen.G, who had a really good showing at Madrid. Overall, the international competition has gotten a lot better, in my opinion. You don’t have the normal teams, like FNATIC, just auto-qualifying. I think it makes things more interesting.”
“My last question for you. Obviously, it was a rough start to the year, but the team has turned things around. Of course the goal is to win from here on out. What is it going to take for you and 100 Thieves to do that?”
Cryo: “Just stick to our own game. Like I said, we believe we’re one of the best teams in the world. So, as long as we play like how we do in practice or on a good day. If we all just play together and we all trust each other, then I think with that we’ll just win out.”
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