"I think it's definitely going to be a close game" PRX d4v41 shares some insights about their current tournament form
On Day 2 of the playoffs of VCT Masters Madrid, Paper Rex went head-to-head against Americas powerhouse LOUD. Both teams were fighting against elimination, as it was the Lower Bracket Semifinals. And at the end, Paper Rex came out top, beating LOUD 2-0 to advance to the Lower Bracket Finals.
After the game, we had a chance to talk to Khalish "d4v41" Rusyaidee of Paper Rex, about his thoughts on the tournament so far, and the confidence of the team going ahead.
[Interviewer] First of all, congratulations once again on the win against LOUD. Masters Madrid has been quite a long journey. I would like to know your thoughts on how this journey has been for you and for the team.
“I think we exceeded our expectations. I don't think we were gonna go for top three. I think this tournament we [were] especially targeting for the playoffs because we are a new team and we are trying to adapt to Monyet and Monyet is trying to adapt to us.
So I think so far, I'm very happy with the results.
I mean, now since we already top three, then I guess we're gonna try to do our best to win the whole thing.”
[Interviewer] Speaking of Monyet, last time we talked, he said that coming into a new team and adapting to new roles, it takes some time to build confidence. With the impact he has shown in Madrid, would you say he has managed to adapt quite well?
“Definitely not. He's definitely not 100% used to us, I would say. But maybe 70%, maybe?
I think from the off season tournament, he's still completely new to us. And now, it's been a few months, so I think he's technically kind of used to how we play, how we want to play the game and stuff. The rest of the performance is up to his confidence, I guess. I think when it comes to Valorant, it's all about confidence, you know, like read the game, being able to perform things under big pressures and stuff.”
We moved on to a few questions on the game against LOUD, and how PRX managed to close out both maps against them.
[Interviewer] On the first map of Ascent, you had a good start, but things started to get a bit shaky. But in the end, you managed to recover quite well, especially in the last few rounds when it mattered most. What do you think brought about this change in pace for PRX?
“I think for some maps, we are not the best when it comes to attacking. And I can't say for Ascent. I don't think our strats are that solid yet. And also, I think after a few rounds, they kind of figured [out] how we play on T-side and they kind of do aggressive pushes on us. Especially some of the stuff in mid-round, like they were playing mid or having mid and stuff and punishing us and B-main with Operators and stuff, you know.
So yeah, I think they kind of adapted to us at the end of the first half. But luckily we managed to get five rounds already during that time. So yeah, I think it was okay.
But on CT, I guess it all comes [down to] the map control. I mean, they run Breach and stuff, so we kind of fight for the area. So if we give them the space, we're gonna lose the rounds, I would say.”
[Interviewer] On the second map, which was your pick of Sunset, you guys had a great start in the first half. And even in the second half, it was a very dominant attack side from you guys.
So do you think you had the better game plan when compared to LOUD? Or do you just think that things just weren’t going according to plan for LOUD?
“When it comes to Sunset, I think everyone knows that we are one of the best teams in that map. And I think we proved to them. So far we only lost to Sentinels, I think, in the offseason.
And that's also a different comp. So I think with this comp, there's no duelists. I think a lot of teams know that we are quite good at that map.
And yeah, I mean, it's not really about countering how LOUD play, it's more like how we managed to play, like how we played in practice.”
After getting his thoughts on the game, we delved deeper on d4v41’s role in the team, and how his ability and confidence to play different agents affects the team composition on PRX.
[Interviewer] On Sunset, you used to play Cypher on this map. And now you've switched to a Sage role. How confident do you feel switching to the Sage? And do you think you'll stay in this Sage role for quite a while? Or as you guys like to experiment a lot, do you think you'll change it up again in the future?
“I think maybe in the future, yeah. We [will] probably try new things. I mean, we always love to try new things and a new agent is coming out soon.
And yeah, I would love to try new agents because I believe that I can play quite a lot of agents, you know. I don't mind trying new things. And for this tournament, we are definitely not switching up to different agents, I would say.”
[Interviewer] Your confidence in playing with quite a few agents is good to see. So Forsaken also plays a flex role in the team. Do you think his flexibility allows the rest of the team to also be more flexible?
Or do you think that because he can be flexible, that you guys can just lock down one agent for a map and then you can just do your own things?
“Sometimes he would try new things because he wanted to, but sometimes it's about slotting in the loophole of our defense or attacking side. Like whether we really need this agent in this map and he would be the guy that is filling up the place, you know.
So yeah, I mean, it goes both ways. Sometimes you want to try the agent, sometimes he had to use that because we need to have that agent and he plays the best when it comes to other agents, you know. So yeah, it goes both ways.”
In recent times, social media, and the internet has become a sort of cesspool of inconsiderate comments towards players and teams. Safe to say, d4v41 takes this criticism with a light heart.
[Interviewer] Coach Alecks was asked a question in the press conference about how social media affects the mental of the team. Do you think when people criticize you a lot, it actually helps you improve? Or do you just keep that in the back of your head and keep moving forward and do your own thing?
“I think I've been in the scene for quite a while. I mean, that kind of stuff doesn't really affect me, you know. I think it does affect some of our new players.
But for me, it's something that I enjoy watching or reading. Sometimes it's just funny to me. Even if the comment is about hating or whatever, but for me, I just take it and just laugh it off. So yeah, I mean, it doesn't really affect me. It's more like, kind of entertainment for me.
But, for other people, for some other teammates, maybe they take it differently. Maybe because they're still new to the competition's environment and stuff.”
Before parting, we asked d4v41 his thoughts about going against Sentinels in the next match. And also about a potential rematch against Gen.G, should they win against Sentinels.
[Interviewer] Your next match is up against Sentinels. And they're in quite good form. But in their last game, LOUD actually pushed them to the limit, with two maps going to overtime. So how do you think you're going to fare against Sentinels?
“I think it's definitely going to be a close game. If we have a good mindset or confidence, just like today. But on our worst days, probably, it's going to be rough. I think when it comes to our team, it's all about confidence, you know, like being able to perform under pressure and stuff.
That's one of our strengths. And if we do manage to be calm and collected, it goes our way. But yeah, it's definitely going to be a hard game for sure.
I think we don't really try to counter the opponents that much because we believe that usually it's kind of like disturbing our game plan or our playstyle. So I think we're just going to focus on ourselves, maybe fix a few anti-ecos. I think we got thrifted a few times today and even in the previous matches.
So, we're just going to focus on ourself and do our best. Definitely a hard opponent. So yeah, just try our best as usual.”
[Interviewer] Final question for you. If you beat Sentinels tomorrow, then you'll be facing off against Gen.G once again in the Grand Finals. How prepared are you for that revenge match? And what are your expectations going into that matchup once again?
“I think it's definitely going to be hard for us. Because if we win tomorrow's [match] then we have to play right the next day. And Gen.G have pretty much like one free day off. They could study both teams tomorrow and even watch our games. And also they have an advantage for coming in from the upper bracket, you know. So, the favors go that way.
But if we do manage to beat Sentinels tomorrow, I guess, pretty much the same. We don't really have time to counter them or whatever. Like try to read their game plan and stuff. But yeah, probably just focus on ourselves as usual.
Because we played them a lot, even from the kickoff and stuff. They're technically from our region. So I think right now we're just going to focus on beating Sentinels, because they're not from our region and definitely [have a] different playstyle.”
Paper Rex will face Sentinels later today in the Lower Bracket Semifinals of VCT Masters Madrid. The winner of that matchup will go on to face Gen.G in the Grand Final.
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Check out our YouTube channel for an extended version of the interview.
Featured Image Source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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