Version1 vs Cloud9 post-match interview with Zellsis, Vanity and Xeppaa

The second matchup yesterday featured Cloud9 and Version1, the only teams with a 5-0 record in the Group Stages, going against each other in 2nd round of Lower Bracket. Despite a fascinating performance from Version1, fate sided with Cloud9. After the conclusion of the toe-to-toe battle between these teams, THESPIKE.GG interviewed Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro of Version1 and Erick "Xeppaa" Bach and Anthony "vanity" Malaspina of Cloud9.

Version1:

THESPIKE.GG: How do you feel about the loss?

Zellsis: I'm not going to lie after the Cloud9 loss I feel kind of sad. We should’ve won 2-0 but I couldn't stick the bomb at 12:10 on Ascent and after that, we should’ve closed it out better. So, I think it’s sad that we lost this series.

THESPIKE.GG: Version1 had one of the best starts to Stage 1, from the Open Qualifiers and then going on a 5-0 record in Group Stages. What are your thoughts on the team’s run?

Zellsis: I'm super excited from Masters 2. In this tournament we got an upset from LG but we're still a relatively new team like this is the highest anyone on the team has ever played in their careers. So, we need to iron out our practice schedule and fix our mistakes. However, I think with this tournament we have shown great promise that we can compete among some of the best teams in the region.

THESPIKE.GG: On Breeze, V1 had an early head start but the momentum quickly shifted and Cloud9 went on a 6 round run to tie the score. What are your thoughts on that?

Zellsis: I mean we were performing well at the start and then Cloud 9 took a time out which led to a break in the momentum. We got kind of nervous after them and they were able to take advantage of that.

THESPIKE.GG: How impactful was the loss against LG in the first round of Upper Brackets?

Zellsis: I mean the LG loss was quite hurtful to our relatively consistent performance in the Group Stages. Before going into the playoffs, we knew that there would be our hardest series because we like playing teams that we know about, and LG is relatively new, so it was challenging. Also, we did not win any pistols in that series, and you can’t win any matchup without winning pistols. This factor also showed itself in today’s matchup when we lost both pistols on Ascent and Fracture. Pistol rounds are a huge determination in this game like when we were 13-10 on Ascent. If we had won both pistols, the score would be completely different.

THESPIKE.GG: With this loss, who are you rooting for in the tournament?

Zellsis: I'm going to be rooting for my boys at Cloud9.

Cloud9

THESPIKE.GG: Congratulations. How do you feel after the win?

Vanity: Pretty happy. I mean we haven't qualified yet but we're glad to get that one out of the way.

THESPIKE.GG: Did having a 5-0 record boost your confidence going into the playoffs?

Xeppaa: Being 5-0 did not mean much for us because at the end of the day we did not get any advantage from it unlike the Challengers in Europe where placement earned teams a higher seed in the Playoff bracket.

THESPIKE.GG: The loss against OpTic was the only upset Cloud9 encountered in the entire tournament. Was there anything that was lacking in your performance that let them prevail through?

Xeppaa: I mean we weren’t lacking anything in particular. We made some individual mistakes, but it could’ve gone either way easily. Watching that VOD back, it was clear that it was a big 50/50. If we won a couple of rounds that we faltered on, it wouldn’t be that difficult for us to pull through.

THESPIKE.GG: Xeppaa, you managed to maintain a consistent performance on the Stat leaderboard? How was knowing that beneficial to your self-esteem?

Xeppaa: I feel great about it. I mean knowing that I am a consistent player and that my team can rely on me is always a great feeling. But we have we still have to qualify so this stat doesn’t mean anything too significant.

THESPIKE.GG: On that same note, Vanity as the IGL how do you feel having both Xeppaa and Leaf perform so consistently throughout the event.

Vanity: It definitely does help. But I think we all are relatively good at enabling each other to perform. They could do it on other teams, but I think the level of consistency that my teammates show is down to how much we believe in each other.

THESPIKE.GG: Version1 started string with a 6-0 lead on Breeze, but you managed to comeback. Any thoughts on why it took time to find momentum?

Vanity: I mean it was the first map in what we thought would be a three-map series, so we tried not to get too invested in the fact that we were trailing earlier on.

THESPIKE.GG: Did the new meta affect your performance, especially since you frequently chose Astra.

Vanity: I was the most comfortable when I was playing Astra but that’s because I had played it for a year straight. So, the meta change did impact my individual playstyle, but I think it’s something you have to get used to. After the meta change, I switched to Omen, which I had tried for a few matches last year and struggled with in the last couple of matches. However, after playing with it I realized how continually impactful I was with it. Although I am not near where I want to be with Omen, I’m getting better at it.

THESPIKE.GG: Coming back to Xeppaa, your performance on Breeze was amazing but fell a little short on the subsequent maps. Any thoughts on that?

Xeppaa: I mean I don’t look for kills on my own, I play for the team and run the plays we’ve decided on.

THESPIKE.GG: What are each of your thoughts on the upcoming matchup against XSET?

Xeppaa: Compared to last season of VCT, I'd say that XSET is looking for a lot better with Cryocells and will be a great team to play against.

Vanity: I'm not looking forward to it more than any other team that we face off against. I don’t look into other teams that much because, in the end, we have to beat everybody.