The transfer left little to no time for the Canadian participant to discover a new crew 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 one more yr by qualifying for VALORANT Champions 2025, nevertheless it 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 removing, G2’s IGL Jacob ‘valyn’ Batio revealed that it was a sudden resolution.
“We’re all the time in search of small methods to enhance as a crew. I’d say this Offseason was a busy one, and it was one thing that wasn’t one thing that was actually anticipated. I believe everybody can attest to that. It was one thing that was a really a lot within the second resolution,” he stated.
“We thought Andrej [babybay] might usher in a novel perspective for us that we haven’t had at these worldwide occasions, which is simply the psychological aspect of the sport. We noticed a rise in our efficiency after we performed with him in Stage 2 when leaf was gone, and I’m positive everybody remembers these moments.
“G2 regarded revitalized with babybay, so we needed to attempt to sprinkle that in going into 2026 with him being on the beginning roster as a result of he’s nonetheless acquired it. Everybody is aware of that babybay prior to now was one of many strongest mechanical gamers in VALORANT,” he additional elaborated.
Including on to Valyn’s feedback, babybay stated, “I believe Jacob [Valyn] hit the nail on the pinnacle with lots of what he stated. I believe one among my predominant jobs right here is to maintain these guys on observe, particularly mentally. I do know I assist out quite a bit together with his calling, whereas retaining 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 type of play on these new brokers and nobody actually is aware of how I’m going to be enjoying them.”
G2 Esports Goals to Raise 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 stated, the organisation is nonetheless chasing its first worldwide title.
The roster got here shut at Masters Bangkok; nonetheless, narrowly missed out in a heartbreaking best-of-five sequence in opposition to T1.
Valyn acknowledged the psychological stress the crew has skilled on stage and talked about that bringing in babybay looks like a step in the suitable route. The IGL additionally hopes to carry at the very least one worldwide trophy in the course of the 2026 season:
“Final yr was nice, nevertheless it additionally wasn’t at occasions. We failed fairly badly at Champs [Champions Paris] and I believe all of us took that on the chin fairly onerous. I’d say in Toronto, we acquired 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 in search of a solution to get that first place. Possibly that is the reply, possibly it isn’t, however we really feel prefer it’s the suitable route for our crew. It was a tough resolution [parting ways with JonahP], however we’ll see the way it performs out,” Valyn elaborated.
All matches from the occasion shall be streamed dwell on VCT Americas’ official Twitch and YouTube channels.
