"We threw, but we still won" - TALON head coach Frost after narrow victory against DRX

Fresh off a tense 2-1 comeback against DRX in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Pacific Stage 2 playoffs, TALON head coach Hector "FrosT" Rosario spoke candidly about the team’s struggles, mental barriers, and growing leadership within the roster.

In an exclusive interview with THESPIKE.GG, he opened up about the pressure of chasing a Champions slot, the evolving role of in-game leader Thanamethk "Crws" Mahatthananuyut, and how trust and adaptability are shaping TALON’s journey.

A Turning Point Marred by Tension

After their tough win that saw moments of brilliance but also some worrying signs, head coach Frost candidly addressed the challenges the team still faces.

“Very polite way to say ‘y'all f***ing threw!’ I was so angry, by the way. Yes, we threw.”

He acknowledged the team's nervousness despite holding a comfortable lead early on. He described how the players hesitated even when they were up 4-0 on an anti-eco round, showing “a lack of enthusiasm for being in the game and having a lead.”

This mental lapse was alarming for Frost, as it highlighted a pattern of vulnerability TALON must overcome to truly contend at the highest level. Still, he praised the resilience that allowed them to secure the win, though he hopes such close calls won’t be part of future playoff scenarios.

The Weight of Expectation and Mental Pressure

Frost openly discussed the pressure of TALON needing to finish in second place in playoff standings to qualify for Champions, describing how this high-stakes environment brings an “extra level of pressure, mental stress” that clearly affects the team’s gameplay.

“If you look at it, we're just playing a semis and we absolutely threw Bind. We should have destroyed them on Bind,” he noted. The prospect of facing Paper Rex in Japan only adds to the anxiety, with Frost particularly concerned about the “fear that seems to set in” as the players get closer to their big goal.

This fear threatens to undermine their performance, and the coach recognizes that to advance and succeed, the team must find a way to shake off that pressure and “play free and play our best.” The worry is that without addressing this, it could become the “reason why we don't qualify for Champs.”

Breaking Through the Mental Block

Reflecting on TALON’s history, where their best VCT Pacific finish has only been 4th place, Frost pointed to the potential psychological hurdles the team faces. Despite evident talent and improvement, the team has sometimes struggled to rise to the occasion.

“The best thing to do is just remind them that they're rookies and that even if they don't qualify for Champs, it's not like their jobs are at stake.”

The idea wanting victory too much can, ironically, get in the way of achieving it. Frost’s solution is to strike a balance between motivating his players and taking firmer strategic control. He’s even considering limiting their in-game freedom at times to reduce fear and hesitation. “With some encouragement, and by accepting that they might feel nervous, it can help to just take certain decisions out of their hands,” he explained.

The Rise of Crws

A key theme of the interview was the growing leadership role of Crws, TALON’s IGL. Frost credited much of the team’s strategic decision-making to him, describing how their coach-player relationship evolved.

“I’ve developed Crws as an IGL, and now he's smart enough that he wants to make his own decisions and make his own comps.”

While Frost admits there are occasional moments of strategic disagreement, he emphasizes trust and respect for Crws’s expertise and judgment. He understands that a coach who tries to micromanage can hinder progress: “I don't shoot a bullet. It's me not getting in the way of progress because the better Crws gets, the more likely we are to win anyway.”

Communication Dynamics with a Thai Roster

A particular challenge for Frost has been coaching a full Thai-speaking roster while he himself is not fluent in Thai. However, he expressed confidence that this language difference no longer presents significant issues.

He explained how he monitors the game situationally, understanding positions and tactics even without directly following the language. He also trusts Crws to communicate when he can handle situations without timeouts, showing an efficient internal communication flow.

“Sometimes he knows me. He has a feel of when I'm just going to come in... And now he just preemptively tells me before the round ends, ‘Hey, Hector, don't call a timeout. I know what's going on. Don't worry.’”

While Frost misses some nuances like last year when he could read confidence shifts in the non-Thai speakers like Joseph Oh "Ban" Seung-min and Peter "Governor" No, he has adapted his coaching style to focus more on game plans and macro strategies.

Integrating New Talent: Killua and thyy

The recent team changes replacing Governor and Ban with newcomers Taned "Killua" Teerasawad and Anupong "thyy" Preamsak have injected fresh energy into TALON, and Frost expressed optimism about how the young players have integrated.

He credited Crws’s leadership as instrumental in their development, calling him “basically team dad,” a mentor figure helping the rookies grow within the team’s framework. Frost also acknowledged that while he initially had different ideas for recruitment, trusting the decisions of Crws and Papaphat "Primmie" Sriprapha paid off. This player-driven mentorship seems critical to TALON's development and structure.

Looking Ahead

While TALON still battles tense moments and mental hurdles, Frost remains grounded yet optimistic. His honest take on the match, the pressure, and the value of mental resilience reflects a coach determined to mold a team that can rise above challenges and compete at the highest level.

The journey to Champions is laden with challenges, but with a growing leader in Crws, supportive teammates, and a coach who understands the psychological battleground, TALON has the foundation to rise beyond past limitations.

Watch the full interview below:

Frost’s interview highlights the complexities behind the scenes of a rising esports team. It’s not just tactics and mechanics but trust, mental strength, effective communication and leadership that determines success. As TALON prepares for their next matchup, they will be tested again. But with lessons learned and a focused approach, their potential shines brighter than ever.

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games