LEV Neon on reset after 100 Thieves loss: 'We're going to bring a better version of ourselves'
Following LEVIATÁN's 0-2 upper-bracket semifinal loss to 100 Thieves at VCT 2026: Americas Stage 2, Bruno "Neon" Rodríguez addressed the team's performance in a post-match interview with Sheep Esports. The Brazilian star admitted that his squad lacked proactive plays and coordination, focusing too much on reacting to opponents rather than creating their own momentum. Despite the defeat, Neon emphasized that the roster is not dwelling on the result but is instead focused on resetting before their lower-bracket match against either FURIA or G2 Esports. Playing in front of a Brazilian crowd remains a major source of motivation for the team as they aim to bring a better version of themselves to the next stage.
Lack of Proactive Plays and Coordination
Neon explained that the primary issue was not creating plays and plans. The team spent too much time analyzing what 100 Thieves were doing instead of anticipating their strategies. This reactive approach led to rushed decisions after setbacks, leaving them without alternative plans for critical moments.
"What we were missing the most was creating plays and plans," Neon stated. "We were thinking too much about what they were doing instead of what they weren't going to do." He noted that sometimes the team felt too rushed because of the result, forcing them to keep trying in the same round even when something went wrong.
Despite the loss, Neon insisted that the team is not worried about the outcome. Their priority is to correct mistakes and restore the cohesion that was missing against 100 Thieves. "We don't get sad about it; we just have to improve the mistakes we made and try to come out more focused next time," he said.
Playing in Brazil Remains a Major Motivation
Neon highlighted that playing at home is particularly meaningful for the roster and its families. The atmosphere of having all supporters screaming for them provides significant motivation.
"Going there motivates us a lot because we're playing at home," Neon explained. "It's something really good for us, being able to have all our families and everyone who supports us there in the crowd... That's really funny. It's just motivation for us."
Adapting Strategies and Agent Choices
Addressing concerns about predictability due to repeated compositions, Neon dismissed the idea that their agent choices were the main issue. He attributed the loss to an inability to impact the game collectively and individually.
"I don't think there's much of an alert," Neon said. "In every match we play, we try to do different things... Today it just didn't work out for us." He emphasized that VALORANT is a game with a lot of variance, and sometimes things go badly despite preparation.
The player also discussed the return of Yoru to the competitive meta. The agent was already a comfort pick for him and Eduardo "Sato" Nagahama, but a recent teleport buff made him even more attractive for professional teams.
Breeze's Removal Strengthens Map Pool
Neon welcomed the replacement of Breeze with Abyss in the competitive rotation. The team had struggled on Breeze, and its removal allows them to reconsider veto priorities.
"The rotation is very positive for us," Neon said. "We didn't like Breeze very much anymore... So we already had a better pool, but we still have to keep working on Abyss and on every map."
Awaited Lower-Bracket Match
At the time of the interview, LEVIATÁN were awaiting the winner of the lower-bracket match between FURIA and G2 Esports. Neon did not express a preference for either opponent.
"It's not that I don't want to face them; I just don't know what to say. Because for me, they're both the same. They're both good teams," he concluded. "Every team that has made it this far is a good team, so I don't have a specific preference."
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