Matthew "Whitemon" Filemon joined us for an interview before BLAST Slam I talking about his growth as a player since joining Tundra Esports, playing alongside Topson and learning invaluable lessons, the difference between playing under Pure and 33 as captains, and more.
How have you evolved as a player since joining Tundra Esports?
My extended stay outside SEA has forced me to adapt to diverse playstyles. In T1, I was carried by my teammates. At TSM, I transitioned into a leadership role, mentoring newcomers, Ari and Kasane, and making shotcalling in-game.
Currently, at Tundra, I'm in a more relaxed environment, playing under good captains like Pure and 33, learning from seasoned players and concentrating on my individual performance without having to think about the bigger picture.
How was it playing with Topson and what did you learn from him?
Playing with Topson was a blast. Even though he's a two-time TI winner, he was always open to my suggestions and respectful of others. He kept listening to me and followed what I said. It was surreal to play alongside him.
The most valuable lessons I learnt from Topson were humility and respecting others. Even if you’re the best player in the world, you need to be open to ideas and be willing to learn from others.
What went wrong at The International 2024 (TI13) against Gaimin Gladiators?
We really messed up our timing at TI13. We kept fighting without the right items, for example, Bloodstone on Topson, even though Topson warned us, and Pipe of Insight in another fight. Things could have turned out differently if we had just been patient and waited for the right moment, engaging in fights with proper itemisation.
How different is it playing under another two-time TI champion 33?
It’s exciting because he consistently finds a solution to win a game despite having our backs against the wall. Even though you lose a lane or have a bad game, he will still figure out a way to win it and keep the team’s morale high.
How different are Pure and 33 as captains?
Pure was just the leader in-game but 33 is a leader both in-game and outside of the game. That’s the major difference. 33 motivates us if we’re having a bad day or something is amiss and also keeps us grounded when the team is on a high.
What are Tundra’s chances at BLAST Slam I?
We’ll play our best and see how things turn out.
Tundra Esports will face Xtreme Gaming in the semifinals later today. Stay tuned to BLAST.tv for the latest updates, interviews and more.
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