T1 BuZz on qualifying for Masters Santiago: "A Win is a Win"

T1 secured their spot at VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Masters Santiago 2026 after a commanding 3-0 victory over Rex Regum Qeon in the middle bracket of VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Pacific Kickoff. Despite some late-game hiccups, the Korean powerhouse demonstrated why many consider them the team to beat this season.

After the game, we had a chance to talk with duelist Yu "BuZz" Byung-chul, reflecting on the win and what lies ahead for his squad.

Clean Sweep Despite Minor Mistakes

The series ended decisively in T1's favor, though the final map showed some major flaws from the roster. Speaking after the match, BuZz acknowledged these slip-ups but maintained a positive outlook on the result.

"We're kind of aware of the mistakes that were made during the game. But overall, a win is a win. So I'm just glad that we won today."

The third map, Abyss, proved particularly challenging for the Korean side. It marked T1's first competitive showing on the map since the off-season. When asked about their preparation, BuZz revealed that while the team had been practicing Abyss, they didn't enter with any elaborate strategies or specific game plans for the matchup.

Living Up to Super Team Expectations

With the addition of Byeon "Munchkin" Sang-beom to the roster, many have dubbed T1 the "Korean super team" heading into 2026. The label brings immense pressure, especially from the passionate Korean fanbase, but BuZz appears unfazed by the expectations.

"I don't really feel that much of a burden, and I just know that I have to play harder and better as a player."

Regarding the super team designation, BuZz responded confidently: "It may seem that we are a super team, and hopefully we'll show it through more of our performances."

Munchkin's Impact on T1's System

Having now played under three different in-game leaders throughout his career, BuZz offered insight into what makes Munchkin unique as a caller. While praising his former IGLs Kim "stax" Gu-taek and Kim "MaKo" Myeong-kwan, he highlighted Munchkin's particular strength in reading the game, and his positional awareness.

“I feel that one of the points that stands out for Munchkin is that when he looks over the map, he knows where all the enemies are, and he knows where to lead us.”

The mid-round calling responsibilities primarily fall to Munchkin as well, though BuZz clarified that other players contribute based on the situation: "It really depends on which player and which plays we are able to make, on who makes the calls."

Looking Ahead to Santiago

T1 won't be Korea's only representative at Masters Santiago. Nongshim RedForce claimed the first seed with their strong performance also against RRQ. BuZz praised his regional rivals, saying they've "proven themselves even after turning pro" and predicted they would perform well internationally.

As for potential opponents in Santiago, he exuded confidence without singling out specific teams.

"I'm confident that I'll be able to face all of them."

With qualification secured and their roster clicking, T1 now sets their sights on proving their super team status on the international stage.

Watch the full interview below:

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games