The transfer left little to no time for the Canadian participant to discover a new group and got here as a shock, particularly contemplating the organisation’s performances all through 2025.
Not solely did G2 Esports prolong its keep within the Worldwide League for an additional yr by qualifying for VALORANT Champions 2025, but it surely additionally completed second at Masters Bangkok whereas securing a prime 5 placement at Masters Toronto.
Talking with Esports Insider on the 2026 Americas Kickoff pre-event press convention concerning the JonahP’s elimination, G2’s IGL Jacob ‘valyn’ Batio revealed that it was a sudden choice.
“We’re all the time searching for small methods to enhance as a group. I’d say this Offseason was a busy one, and it was one thing that wasn’t one thing that was actually anticipated. I feel everybody can attest to that. It was one thing that was a really a lot within the second choice,” he mentioned.
“We thought Andrej [babybay] might usher in a singular perspective for us that we haven’t had at these worldwide occasions, which is simply the psychological facet of the sport. We noticed a rise in our efficiency once we performed with him in Stage 2 when leaf was gone, and I’m positive everybody remembers these moments.
“G2 appeared revitalized with babybay, so we wished to attempt to sprinkle that in going into 2026 with him being on the beginning roster as a result of he’s nonetheless obtained it. Everybody is aware of that babybay up to now was one of many strongest mechanical gamers in VALORANT,” he additional elaborated.
Including on to Valyn’s feedback, babybay mentioned, “I feel Jacob [Valyn] hit the nail on the top with plenty of what he mentioned. I feel one in every of my most important jobs right here is to maintain these guys on observe, particularly mentally. I do know I assist out lots along with his calling, whereas conserving everybody targeted when issues can get distracting.”
Speaking about his return to aggressive VALORANT and particular person efficiency, babybay added:
“It’s been enjoyable discovering the shape once more and with the ability to create my very own distinctive model of play on these new brokers and nobody actually is aware of how I’m going to be taking part in them.”
G2 Esports Goals to Carry an Worldwide VCT Trophy in 2026
G2 has undeniably been one of the constant groups in VCT because it entered the Worldwide League in 2024. That mentioned, the organisation remains to be chasing its first worldwide title.
The roster got here shut at Masters Bangkok; nevertheless, narrowly missed out in a heartbreaking best-of-five sequence in opposition to T1.
Valyn acknowledged the psychological stress the group has skilled on stage and talked about that bringing in babybay seems like a step in the correct course. The IGL additionally hopes to raise at the least one worldwide trophy throughout the 2026 season:
“Final yr was nice, but it surely additionally wasn’t at occasions. We failed fairly badly at Champs [Champions Paris] and I feel all of us took that on the chin fairly arduous. I’d say in Toronto, we obtained prime 4, but when we’re trustworthy with ourselves, we needed to make a 3-11 comeback to even get there. It took a miracle to even be in that place and it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient.
“We’re searching for a strategy to get that first place. Possibly that is the reply, possibly it isn’t, however we really feel prefer it’s the correct course for our group. It was a tough choice [parting ways with JonahP], however we’ll see the way it performs out,” Valyn elaborated.
All matches from the occasion might be streamed dwell on VCT Americas’ official Twitch and YouTube channels.
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