“If you think about 13, you’re not gonna get 13” - G2 Valyn reflects on thrilling comeback win against Gen.G

In one of the most exhilarating matches of VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025, G2 Esports clawed their way back from the brink to defeat Gen.G Esports in a nail-biting 2-1 series. The victory not only kept G2’s tournament hopes alive but also spelled elimination for Gen.G, marking the end of their run at the VALORANT event in Canada.

Following the match, G2's IGL, Jacob "valyn" Batio, spoke candidly about the emotional rollercoaster of the series, his team’s mental resilience, and what this win means for their continued journey.

A Match of Momentum Swings

For G2’s in-game leader, the series was an emotional rollercoaster that mirrored G2’s turbulent path through the lower bracket.

“We had a very good start on Lotus versus them and it gave us a lot of momentum going into map 2... But I would say my calling on attack wasn’t at its best and I allowed them to make a comeback happen.”

G2 started the series on a high note with a commanding performance on Lotus, executing a well-prepared game plan that caught Gen.G off-guard. The confidence from their early momentum carried them into the second map, Haven, but that’s where things began to go sideways.

“We went really high, I went really low personally... and then we started low again on Icebox and it felt like everything was kind of crumbling on us.”

At that point, a crucial timeout from coach Josh "JoshRT" Lee helped reset the team mentally and refocus their approach. What followed was one of the most composed comebacks of the tournament. G2 slowed the pace, focused on executing one round at a time, and capitalized on Gen.G’s growing hesitation.

“Once we made it 11-11, we knew we won. They were playing scared, we were playing aggressive, and we had a lot of ults.”

The comeback on Icebox wasn’t just about mechanics or Agents - it was a masterclass in G2’s Icebox comeback showcased their mental toughness more than raw mechanics.

Valyn and the squad stayed focused under pressure, taking the match round by round instead of chasing the scoreboard. Their composure and tempo shift overwhelmed a hesitant Gen.G, highlighting G2’s growth and poise since rising from Ascension.

“If you think too much, if you think about 13, you’re not gonna get 13.”

Lower Bracket Kings?

G2’s journey through the lower bracket is familiar territory for Valyn and his team. Dating back to their time on The Guard, they’ve built a reputation for thriving under pressure.

Whether it was battling through playoffs or grinding their way to success at Ascension, this roster has consistently shown that setbacks don’t shake them; they fuel them. The lower bracket isn’t just a challenge for G2; it’s where they’ve often found their sharpest form and most memorable wins.

It’s this embedded resilience that Valyn credits for the team’s success under pressure. Losing to Paper Rex earlier in the tournament could have demoralized them, but G2 turned the page quickly.

“When we lost to Paper Rex, we knew we could play better and we just accepted it and moved on… If you think about the past, you’re gonna lose in the lower bracket.”

The Rookie Perspective

During the interview, Valyn reflected on Rex Regum Qeon’s debut on the international stage and the challenges teams face when skipping the group stage and jumping straight into playoffs. Valyn drew comparisons to his own experience at Reykjavik, where his then-rookie team was thrown straight into playoffs.

“Just getting warmed up to the stage, understanding the stage… all that helps a lot.”

Though G2 managed to push through the initial rust, Valyn noted that RRQ’s rookie status made their journey even tougher, reinforcing just how crucial stage experience is in high-stakes international competition.

Early Ticket to Paris

Even before stepping onto the stage against Gen.G, G2 had already secured their spot at VALORANT Champions Paris 2025, thanks to their earlier win over XLG. This milestone made them the first team worldwide to qualify for Champions, a remarkable feat for an Ascension team.

“Being in Champions already helps a lot for the organization to stay in VCT. Now we’re gonna finish up this tournament, go play EWC, and then maybe have a lighter Stage 2… more preparation for Champions.”

With their spot locked in, G2 can shift focus toward fine-tuning and planning for Paris without the pressure of fighting for qualification later in the season.

Meta Talk: Tejo and Yoru

No interview with an IGL would be complete without a touch of meta discussion. Valyn briefly touched on the state of Tejo, noting that while the agent has been nerfed, he remains viable in certain compositions due to his strong utility.

What Valyn said next, however, can be shocking for some VALORANT fans to hear. Valyn believes that Yoru is the strongest agent in the game right now.

“He has really good flashes. His ult is incredible. He has literally teleportation… that’s just so broken in an FPS game.”

Whether this was a tactical misdirection or a genuine peek into G2’s playbook, fans will be watching closely as G2 continues their Lower Bracket journey in Toronto.

Still in the Fight

The victory over Gen.G is more than just another series, it’s a statement. G2 is clearly not making up numbers; they'll relentlessly pursue that Grand Final spot.

They’ve embraced the chaos of the lower bracket, leaned on experience, and found strength in trust and belief. Now, with VALORANT Masters Toronto heating up, they’re hungrier than ever.

Watch the full interview with Valyn below:

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Featured Image Source: Stefan Wisnoski/Riot Games