Sentinels on VCT Masters Madrid Victory: 'We wanted it more'
After years of pain, hurt, and at times humiliation, the Sentinels' revenge arc is complete, as tears of joy rolled from the faces of the legendary North American VALORANT roster as they hoisted the VCT Masters Madrid trophy above their head.
For Tyson "TenZ" Ngo, the wait to lift another trophy has been agonising, but the destructive hard work of changing roles from a talented, individual, head-clicking duellist to a team-orientated, aggressive, and punishing controller has been one that paid off to the maximum.
Complimented by an IGL whose own journey here hasn't been plain-sailing in Mohamed "johnqt" Ouarid, breakout superstar in Zachary "zekken" Patrone, experienced salesman-turned-hypeman Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro, and wise beyond his years Gustavo "Sacy" Rossi, TenZ and the Sentinels roster have netted the first championship of the year, and became the first-ever two-time VCT Masters champions.
And the emotional rollercoaster is still at its peak...
Sentinels Head Coach claims 'we wanted it more'
Click to enlargeSentinels' victory was also one of the most gruelling paths to become champions that VALORANT has ever pitted, placing them in four series, with 15 maps, over four days, against three juggernauts of the scene in Paper Rex, LOUD, and Gen.G, twice.
But speaking in a post-match conference, Sentinels' Head Coach Adam "kaplan" Kaplan has put their success down to the fact that, "We wanted it more".
"I don't know how much they wanted it, but I refuse to accept it was more than us," he added.
TenZ claims VCT Masters Madrid was 'sweeter' than Reykjavík
Click to enlargeTenZ has now joined esteemed company in becoming one of very few two-time Masters winners, with his last coming over 1000 days ago in Reykjavík.
But this victory was "sweeter", as he notes the level of opponents is much higher than those they steamrolled back in 2021.
"I think this win particularly felt even sweeter just because it wasn't an easy road," he said.
"I think the level of competition has improved significantly since then, and so it feels a lot better to be awarded for something you work even harder for."
The VCT Season will quickly continue with Regional League's kicking off next week as teams gear towards Shanghai, where Sentinels will have to fend off fight-backs from everyone they left in the dust of Madrid.
