biguzera: "I just feel that the young players aren't improving in Brazil"
After having multiple events disrupted by needing to use stand-ins, paiN are once again ready to show the world what they can do.
Bolstered by their foreing imports in dgt and dav1deuS, they'll be looking to turn their fortunes around in Austin, aiming to bring some pride to the Brazilian fanbase.
Ahead of the Major, we sat down with biguzera to discuss bringing in dgt, paiN's challenges running up to the Major, and the current state of the Brazilian scene.
"I do still feel like the top level for our team won't come until next season"
We last spoke before BLAST Rivals, how has it been since then after adding dgt and getting more time with him?
The first tournament was a huge challenge for us, we didn't have time to practice, maybe about two days. It was hard to play with him, not just because of the practice, but we were going down a certain way with our tactics before dgt arrived.
I think our confidence level wasn't the same, either. It was all a little bit difficult for us then, so I hope it's better now.
How about PGL Astana? You went out with a 1-3 record after losing games to ODDIK and MIBR, but did you feel like there was progress there?
I don't think so, I think after BLAST we only had two or three more practice days, but then we knew about dgt's visa just before Astana so we were feeling very frustrated.
It was sad to have to play with our coach, but sometimes there are just things you can't do anything about. We just had to accept it and play.
Photo: Stephanie LindgrenLet's talk about dgt himself, why was it him that you decided to complete the team with?
I think he's the kind of player that we really needed, since I've been in paiN we've never had a lurker as good as him, so we were missing a player like that. We needed a guy to clutch out rounds and be more passive.
We have a Chilean guy already in dav1deuS, so the language issue also isn't a challenge for us, and that led us to dgt because he's a very talented guy.
That also means it's two moves you've made this year when the incoming player hasn't been Brazilian, what's the reason for that?
There are two things in Brazil, Brazil isn't great for new star players for one, but also if we try to get a very good player in Brazil, the buyout is just so expensive. We would have had to have paid a lot of money.
Brazil is so big, so we need to find a new donk in Brazil, but it's not easy to find them. I think Spirit might have had a lot of luck.
Why do you think it's hard to find those kind of star players in Brazil or even just lurkers in Brazil?
I don't know, maybe in Brazil the people just don't play pugs or watch demos, someone has to go and create a school for CS in Brazil, maybe I'll do it one day. But yeah, someone has to do something about it, because I just feel that the young players aren't improving in Brazil.
I don't know what the reason for that is, maybe they don't care about CS, maybe they just want to play and have fun, they don't want to be professional, but we have to find a way to make new talents.
Photo: Stephanie LindgrenDo you think there's a shift coming where talk about South American CS rather than Brazilian CS, like we do in NA?
Of course, I think that right now our team has a lot of potential, but we just have to focus on our dream. We've got two weeks of practice before the Major, so just need to use that time and we'll probably be good then, but I do still feel like the top level for our team won't come until next season.
Do you think more Brazilian teams will do what you've done?
Yeah, we used to see international players as something negative, but if ourselves or FURIA have positive results with foreign players, a lot of teams will do the same. It's just a matter of time.
Will there be disappointment from Brazilian fans if that happens?
I don't think so, I think the Brazilian people just want to see the Brazilian flag on top, it doesn't matter who or how that happens. Even if there was just one Brazilian player at the top, they would be happy.
