2Game was prepared not to include askia in its debut and considered nzr

2GAME Esports's debut at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Stage 1 could have started out differently. Not only because of their first result but also because of the lineup that could have entered the competitive VALORANT server. As reported by THESPIKE Brazil, the Brazilian organization prepared not to have Estevão "askia" Palmeira in the debut against Evil Geniuses and even talked to the Argentine Agustin "nzr" Ibarra, ex-MIBR, to replace him just for this match. The situation, however, did not progress and 2Game opted for another plan.

A tangled journey to finalizing the roster

In February, shortly after the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Kickoff, 2Game decided that askia, recently signed to the 2GAME Academy, would be promoted to the main team to replace Luis "pryze" Henrique. It was during this same period that the organization began the process of having the new reinforcement for the debut of the first stage of VCT Americas. He even started training with the main team despite being in Brazil.

However, Askia's visa to the U.S. was delayed and it was expected that it would be unlikely he arrives in time for the tournament debut. Consequently, the organization started moving with the initial idea of having a substitute only for the game against EG.

2Game then sought information and spoke to nzr, who was recently placed on the bench of MIBR and replaced by Verno. The Argentine, however, did not even negotiate and chose to refuse due to a medical issue.

Following this, 2Game opted to practice with coach Anderson "faithz0r" Yabusaki in Askia’s place during the week leading up to the match, as the player himself confirmed in an exclusive interview with THESPIKE Brasil. Faithz0r himself even participated in Riot Games' media day as a player, but the situation changed when askia arrived in the U.S. last Saturday (22).

In contact with THESPIKE Brazil, 2Game confirmed the search for nzr, but reiterated that it was nothing more than an “emergency” regarding askia’s situation. The organization also emphasized that, if it were necessary to use a complete, it would only be for the game against EG.

With askia, 2Game lost to EG in the debut of the first split of VCT Americas 2025. The Brazilian team returns to the server on Sunday, March 30 for the Brazilian classic against LOUD. The two Brazilian teams are in the Alpha group of the first split of VCT Americas 2025 along with KRÜ, 100 Thieves, and Sentinels.

Find out more about the tournament format, teams, and more in our VCT Americas Split 1 guide.

*For the original article conducted in Portugese, click here.