BESTIA Tacolilla returns to VCT Americas: "I am who I am because of everything I went through"

The VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Americas Stage 2 Play-In Stage is about to begin, with Challengers teams looking to prove they belong on the big stage.

During Media Day with the Challengers teams, THESPIKE spoke to Vicente "Tacolilla" Compagnon about his return to the main stage, how much he changed since his stint with Leviatán in 2023, and what this BESTIA roster is all about.

Returning to VCT Americas

Tacolilla made his debut in 2020 before joining Australs, where he spent a year. However, the organization disbanded the following year, and its roster was picked up by Leviatán.

With the new organization, Tacolilla reached the international stage and competed in three international events, but never managed to finish higher than fifth place. In the middle of the 2023 season, he returned to Tier 2.

THESPIKE: After three years, you’re back in Tier 1. How does it feel to be back at the top level?

Tacolilla: "It feels great to be here. All good feelings. I don't know; I'm so happy to be here."

THESPIKE: Does winning Challengers make you feel prepared for Tier 1, or does it actually make you more nervous because now you have to prove it against the best?

Tacolilla: "I feel like I took a weight off my shoulders. I'm here again because I proved my value, and now all I want to do is enjoy it. I'm grateful to life and to God, so I'm taking it day by day. When I play, I don't feel any pressure. I feel really good."

THESPIKE: What would you say is the biggest strength of this BESTIA roster, and how would you describe the team’s synergy and the way you work together?

Tacolilla: "We are very passionate about winning, and we have a good work ethic, which is one of the strongest characteristics of our team."

THESPIKE: When you joined BESTIA in April, did you genuinely believe that a few months later you'd be preparing to play VCT Americas?

When this group started, I thought about what we could achieve. I could see it happening in the future. From the moment I started with these guys, I knew this was a good team. They work really well together, and I don't feel any ego or the need for one player to ignore the rules or fundamentals we want to play by. It's a good team. I thought we would have a great opportunity, and now here we are.

Who is Tacolilla?

THESPIKE: For those new VALORANT fans that will be watching you play for the first time, who is Tacolilla, and who are you as a player?

Tacolilla: "I'm Tacolilla, a Chilean player who loves playing video games. I'm a duelist, but I used to play Chamber a lot. Now, I mainly play duelists and Viper. Nice to meet you guys!"

THESPIKE: Do you feel like you’re the same Tacolilla who left Tier 1, or a completely different player?

I'm the same person, but I'm much more mature now. I work a lot on the psychological side of things, and that's my biggest strength today. I'm a completely different person today, and I feel like things will be different this time.

THESPIKE: If you could go back in time and say something to your younger self, what would you say?

Probably I wouldn't listen to myself. I think everything happened for a reason. It had to happen that way. It took more time, but today I am who I am because of everything I went through. So I wouldn't tell my younger self anything. I'd just say to be present, live in the moment, and take things step by step.

What separates Tier 1 from Tier 2

THESPIKE: What are the biggest differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Tacolilla: "It's hard, but I would say professionalism. In Tier 1, everything is more professional, from the players and coaches to how seriously everyone takes the game. In Tier 2, it's not quite the same.

I feel like everyone wants to shine individually, so they can create more opportunities for themselves. In Tier 1, the players want to shine as a team. You can go to Champions or Masters, so being the best team is what matters, and that's what will make you win.

In Tier 2, it's more like, 'Okay, I need to be better than my teammates. I need to be better than the other teams, so maybe a Tier 1 team will pick me up.' I think it's about how people view the game."

Playing against Latin American teams

THESPIKE: Your first match will be against KRÜ, a team you previously played for. How do you feel about facing KRÜ in your first match, and what are your expectations going into the series?

Tacolilla: "It is a completely different KRÜ from the one I know. I think it is going to be a fun match because they are a Latin team and we are Latin as well, so it is going to be fire. It will be a tough match, but all I want is to have fun on stage."

THESPIKE: If BESTIA manages to make a deep run in the tournament, which teams would you most like to face in the VCT Americas?

Tacolilla: "I think Leviatán, because it was my team and I spent the most time there. That's also where I achieved my biggest accomplishments and won my biggest trophies, so I'd like to play against them. They have a lot of young players now, but they're very talented."

VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 Play-Ins

The VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 Play-In Stage runs from August 13 to August 23. Only four teams will advance to the Playoffs, where they will battle for a place at VALORANT Champions 2026, which is set to take place in Shanghai, China.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

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