EG yay on the victory over FURIA and his ability as a flex player

In an exclusive interview following our victory against MIBR at the Valorant Champions Tour Americas Kickoff 2025, it was me, yay of Evil Geniuses, who had the honor to share our thoughts on the match.

In an exclusive interview, Esports.gg chatted with none other than the notorious Jaccob “yay” Whiteaker, who is now back competing in VCT Americas following a brief period in VCT Pacific. As part of Evil Geniuses, he played a pivotal role in securing his team’s first win in this tournament.

As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement as EG knocked out FURIA in the recent VALORANT match. He shared his thoughts on his Agent choices, embodying the El Diablo moniker, and gave us a glimpse into his comeback to North American VALORANT. It was truly electrifying!

Written interview may have been edited for clarity and ease of reading.

yay can’t promise anything other than doing his job with Evil Geniuses

It’s been nearly a year since your last Victory in a Valorant Champions Tournament with the team. How does it feel to secure your initial triumph with EG now?”

Or, more casually:

“You haven’t won a VCT for quite some time. Almost an entire year! What’s it like to finally get that first win while playing with EG?

I’m overjoyed! It’s not just about personal triumph; it’s a gradual restoration of my self-assurance, and I believe the same is true for the team. We’re sticking to our strategy, practicing diligently, and with each victory, we’re building our collective confidence.

Hey there! Known as El Diablo, the terror of VALORANT. The label, is it a permanent title or do you find yourself constantly needing to reclaim it with each game you play?

It seems like the nickname will stay put for me. I’m not sure if it can be passed on to others, though . It feels personal in a way, but I do believe there’s a level of merit attached to it. So, honestly, I think I need to continue working hard and delivering strong performances to truly embody that nickname. If not, I wouldn’t be doing justice to the name itself.>

“Well, do you think you earned it out there against FURIA?”

Absolutely! I believe there was room for improvement in my performance, but I managed to secure a victory which is great. I fulfilled my responsibilities and things went as planned. I didn’t need to shine like a star this time, but I know I could have performed better. Looking ahead, I aim to demonstrate my potential in upcoming matches.

Let’s discuss your experiences playing as Agents. On the game Abyss, it seems like you played as Astra for the fourth time ever, and you excelled as the Operator. Can you share your journey as a player, transitioning from your primary role as a fragging Duelist to maintaining those skills while taking on the additional responsibilities of a Controller?

Over the course of time, I’ve grown into a versatile player, adapting to various roles as the game progresses. It’s unlikely that there will ever be instances where you’re confined to playing just one Agent on every map. I believe my adaptability has always been strong, and I’ve managed to flex my skills accordingly.

From the start of my professional journey, I was accustomed to working with Breach, Viper, and numerous other characters. I believe I possess the skills for such tasks. However, I’ve lately found myself focusing on Astro, as well as several other agents.

I’m really looking forward to trying something new, as I find that playing something for too long can become a bit repetitive. Additionally, I believe this new game aligns more with my playstyle compared to, say, games that require aggressive entry strategies.

Regarding Fracture, it seems like that was the initial occasion where you controlled Killjoy officially. I’m curious to know what drew you to this character and what unique qualities about yourself do you believe make you a strong fit for playing Killjoy?

It really relies on the specific map; for instance, on Fracture, it seems crucial to have a Sentinel who can manage multiple lanes effectively since every site demands attention for both areas.

On one side or the other, there are numerous entries to consider. As such, having comprehensive information at all times is crucial. This tool is particularly useful for this purpose, which is why I tend to lean towards being an Agent role, and additionally, my current preference leans more towards Sentinel duties.

In a more natural and easy-to-read manner, the sentence could be: “Since you’ve become the primary Duelist on Evil Geniuses, your team and you seemed incredibly coordinated during the match. I’d love to hear about how things are going for you now that you have this crucial role in the team. Instead of focusing on being an entry fragger or something similar, can you describe what it feels like to be a vital piece that the team now relies upon and trusts?

I’m quite pleased with it. Essentially, my role here seems to align somewhat with what I used to do at OpTic, where Victor often took the lead on many entries. In turn, I cover and exchange blows, as well as handle post-plant scenarios where I don’t need to scrutinize 40 different angles or dive in to decipher everything. All in all, it’s going smoothly. It feels quite comfortable for me, and it seems like a superior fit compared to simply charging ahead.

Reminds me of a time when Demon1 often chose Brimstone among his roles, similar to other prominent Duelists who switched positions. If someone is an accomplished Duelist with your level of aim, does it make them more formidable? Because they can effectively play multiple characters, each with distinct tasks, while still excelling at fragging?

I concur with your sentiment. It appears to me they might be heading towards Sentinel class. In a broader context, having a Sentinel with exceptional aiming skills can significantly influence the outcome of rounds. Moreover, if you have prior experience in Duelist roles, you gain insights on when to advance, position yourself effectively, and skillfully angle your duels for success. Therefore, I believe there are numerous advantages to this role, which could be the reason behind the increasing trend of players adopting such a role.

Sure thing!

“Hey there! It’s clear that this is a revamped team compared to past seasons. However, it’s important to note that we’re dealing with a world championship organization and a coach who has claimed the title of world champion in VALORANT. You, too, have a history of winning trophies. With Potter as our captain and you on board, this seems like a new beginning for both of us. So, what can you tell me about how you two are collaborating? What lessons have you learned from her or perhaps what insights have you shared with each other?

I believe she’s significantly contributed to my growth as a player. She assists me in maintaining discipline in numerous scenarios, particularly when dealing with new Agents. This helps me grasp the situation and understand my goal effectively. It ensures I stick to my role on the team. I think she excels at this. In fact, much of my success is due to her.

When you contribute to our discussions, do your experiences from playing VALORANT at an advanced level ever surprise us? For instance, have we found ourselves saying ‘wow’, appreciating the insights you bring to the team?

She constantly boosts my spirits and has a strong belief in my abilities, setting high standards for me. It’s challenging to quantify the impact I make on her, but if you want to know more about that, it might be better to ask her directly.

It can be challenging to immediately determine her viewpoint, but I do offer some insights based on my experience and understanding of the game, as well as factors like the opponent and various others. With extensive expertise at the top level, I’d say I have both talent and abilities that I can leverage. So, I believe I contribute these strengths to the situation, allowing me to win rounds that others might not be able to secure.

Currently, you’ve been competing against teams from Brazil only. As we converse, Cloud9 versus MIBR is commencing, which could be considered a fourth Brazilian team in the tournament. Are you eagerly anticipating the opportunity to go up against some of the North American rosters in VCT Americas?

I find it extremely enjoyable! Playing C9 would be particularly exciting given our history and familiarity with team members. However, I also relish playing with Brazilian teams. In essence, either option suits me just fine; I’m looking forward to both experiences equally.

If the team is MIBR, the matchup is between yay and aspas. For Envy/OpTic versus LOUD, there’s a past connection. Does this remind you of any previous encounters, potentially setting up an intriguing follow-up?

While I have some recollections, because I’m taking on a new character, it doesn’t truly feel like ‘me’. So, I don’t often reflect back on those memories, to put it honestly.

One last question to wrap things up. Previously, your tenure with VCT Americas team was brief, consisting of just one event before you left. Could you assure me, the audience, and everyone else that this won’t be a repeat scenario this time around?

Well, I can’t absolutely guarantee that, as it’s not entirely within my power. However, I’ll strive to do everything necessary and expected of me to avoid such situations. But remember, there are factors beyond our control, just like the C9 roster incident. So, it’s tricky to give a definitive answer, but I assure you I’m doing my utmost best!

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2025-01-30 06:41

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