Interview: Zellsis Talks Sentinels’ Strengths and Weaknesses After Qualifying for Masters Bangkok

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In simpler terms, the writers responsible for VALORANT scripts in VCT Americas have reintroduced a well-liked character from last season. The Sentinels have earned a spot at this year’s first Masters tournament due to an outstanding performance by Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro during the lower final against MIBR, which they won after a strong start at Kickoff.

In a different phrase: Regarded by certain admirers as the “vibes dealer” or simply the salesman of the Sentinels’ bundle, Zellsis recently delivered an outstanding series performance against MIBR – a feat not achieved in years. Following the series where he earned his second ace in VCT, this former Sentinels substitute, now rising star, shared insights with TopMob about his extraordinary play, his growth as an emotional leader, and areas the team continues to work on for improvement.

The following interview has been edited slightly for clarity and length.

IG: A stupendous series from you against MIBR. What was the key to your performance?

In simpler terms, Zellsis is suggesting that he’s typically responsible for maintaining team spirit by boosting morale and energy levels. However, today, he didn’t quite live up to his usual role as he was more subdued and focused, choosing to maintain a neutral emotional state rather than the usual intense behavior to fuel his team’s spirits.

Initially, my teammates kicked off the series with high spirits, which made my tasks somewhat simpler. However, when we reached Split, I found myself getting more excited because we had lost a tough game of Pearl. I wanted us to regain some enthusiasm there. Yet, my teammates are incredibly energetic; if I had set the tone, one of them would have taken charge of the shooting.

Regarding the incident with the Pearl and the knife from Aspas, I noticed a hint of frustration on your part, followed by some discouraged expressions from the team at the end of the map. Could you share how you and the team managed to regroup and move forward after those tough moments?

Yes, during the 1vs2 match, I found myself getting quite upset. The game was captivating me so much that I didn’t want to lose. There were several rounds where we should have emerged victorious, and there were rounds where I made crucial mistakes. I recognized that one opponent was Pit and the other was Art, but in the heat of battle, I missed some critical opportunities which led to my frustration.

The MVP of vibes was N4RRATE. He was phenomenal today in keeping the vibes up, micro calling for people, and calling out mistakes. I think that’s a big thing that we’re starting to learn on stage together. We need to be calling each other out more when shit goes wrong. None of us are babies, we can fix it in the moment, and if you can’t, then you obviously don’t want to win.

Could I rephrase that as follows: Last time we talked, you mentioned that your emotional maturity has significantly improved lately. Do you think any teammates or mentors have played a role in this progression?

From my time with Immi on Version1, through my stint with mCe at Cloud9, up to my current role as kaplan on Sentinels, all my coaches have consistently entrusted me with the role of a leader within our teams. They depend heavily on my ability to provide emotional leadership for everyone involved. Those who know me well understand that I am straightforward, blunt, and don’t mince words. However, when I communicate something, it’s not about belittling others; instead, it’s focused on helping us improve as a team and ensuring we are in the optimal position to secure victories.

As a gamer on C9, when vanity and yay departed, mCe pushed me to take on a leadership role. With the addition of runi and jakee, our team needed a strong voice in the roster. Talent-wise, we were stacked, but we lacked decisive decision-makers. Whether I was ready for it or not, mCe nudged me into that position. We had numerous one-on-one sessions, which ultimately shaped me to always step up as a leader. It hasn’t been easy, but it has made me a better and more well-rounded player overall. I’ve learned to manage my emotions better, discuss mistakes more thoughtfully, and improve in many other areas too.

IG: Do you feel your leadership role has increased this year after the departures of Sacy and TenZ?

I believe there’s room for improvement in our performance during high-pressure mid-game situations. Sacy didn’t often engage in detailed mid-game adjustments, but his overall approach to the game was sound and correct. Essentially, he offered insights like “They are doing this, we should be doing something else.” This is what he would essentially bring to our team.

As a fan, I’ve noticed that [he] plays soccer quite distinctively compared to many American teams. Instead of the relentless rushing and individual play that characterizes North American teams, Brazilian squads always emphasize fundamentally sound gameplay. This player has consistently embodied that approach, which he brought to our team when we played together. I believe our team could use a touch more of the discipline he displayed, but we’re making progress on it.

Translation: How impressive is this team, considering they managed to bounce back from a significant defeat against G2 and secure a spot at Masters Bangkok?

It’s important to keep in mind that this team hasn’t been together for a considerable amount of time yet. We’ve had to adapt our positions, undergo significant changes to suit the team dynamics. Moreover, we’re quite young: I’m almost 27, John’s turning 27 soon. And then there’s a dramatic age gap with N4RRATE at 22, Bang at 20, and Zekken who is only 19.

We have a lot left to develop, particularly in terms of mental growth and maturity, yet everyone shares the common goal of triumphing. I am certain that this team stands among the most dedicated and diligent groups I’ve ever been part of – including the coaches and the players alike.

For more esports news, check out Derke’s incredible Yoru fake clone play from the other day.

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2025-02-09 03:18