Chemistry wins games. With how far Sentinels have come, it is undeniable that their team chemistry has helped build their current success for this year’s campaign.
It came as a shock when the Sentinels lost against Team Heretics and ended their impressive run in VALORANT Champions 2024. Despite the loss, many, from fans to analysts, have been wondering what the future will hold for this star-studded lineup of Sentinels.
Heartbreaks are passing feeling after they got eliminated in the lower bracket semifinals of VCT 2024. Yet, throughout the tournament, Sentinels gained praise among fans and the community for their remarkable performance. Now, the question is, will Sentinels keep their roster in VALORANT 2025?
A Year of Triumphs and Growth
It’s a mix of highs and lows that filled Sentinels’ journey in the 2024 Valorant campaign. They suffered from painful defeats leading to elimination and have celebrated hard-earned wins towards tournament titles. Sentinels’ growth for this year has been tremendous as you trace back their achievements. From their Masters Madrid Championship to the top-four finish at Champions, it has been a stellar showing from the team.
It is undeniable that their hard work and the coaching staff’s dedication let them sow the fruits of success. Who would have thought that the struggling team before is now a title contender?
Moreover, these are only possible due to their current roster. Sentinels’ current lineup features TenZ, Zekken, Sacy, Johnqt, and Zellsis, with the guidance of coach Kaplan. It was no wonder that they’d be able to show great performances, as the team gelled well with one another.
Player Perspectives
A journey earns you an experience to keep in your memories. The loss may have given a bitter feeling to the players; however, it also left keys to reflect on things.
In their post-match press conference, Sacy expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress. He stated, “I don’t know if people understand this, but maybe not, right? But I think the fact that I have this opportunity to play for a foreign organization makes me even more to win a Masters, right? To win a Kick-Off and to have achieved a Top 4 here in this championship, it was incredible.”
Besides Sacy, another standout player of Sentinels, TenZ, shared his personal growth throughout the tournament. It is a wonder how amidst the competitive environment, TenZ managed to have a surge of confidence coming from his 2022 Champions appearance in XSET onto his mindset this 2024. Without this mental fortitude, the team might have been stuck in the earlier parts of the competition.
Team Chemistry and Resilience
Nothing will beat the desire to have a team play for one goal. Coach Kaplan did not fail to emphasize how the team has been supportive of one another throughout the season. He constantly praised the players’ bouncing back despite frustrating and tough losses.
“And even after the most frustrating points and the toughest losses, we somehow bounce back every single time. And that just would never have been possible if every single person on the team wasn’t able to stay continuously believing in one another and our ability as a team,” Coach Kaplan stated.
The strong chemistry and resiliency of the team abled them to push past any obstacles they faced. For that reason, perhaps, keeping the roster intact may even be beneficial for the team’s future success.
Looking Ahead to 2025
VCT 2024 left the team with a fresh wound, but the half of the year is just starting. Sentinels have no need to rush decisions about their future.
TenZ, specifically, asked about his plans for 2025 and responded, “I ain’t thinking about that right now, and I don’t want to. We had a really nice run, and I’m proud of us, and I’m going to celebrate it. I have a million thoughts, but I’m going to save them for another time.”
In the time being, the coaching staff and players should take time for a well-deserved rest. Possible roster changes announcement may come later as they thoroughly assessed things on their end.
Conclusion
With their VCT 2024 journey just ending, it is too early for Sentinels to make a decision in regards to their current roster for the 2025 season. However, it will be a wise choice for the organization to keep their lineup intact as they build on stronger chemistry.
Aside from that, the team managed to achieve success, from its championship in Masters Madrid to its fourth-place finish in VCT 2024. This certainly established them as a top team in the Valorant esports community. With all that, the organization would have to re-assess their long-term goals and the players’ aspirations before reaching a conclusion.
For now, Sentinels can celebrate their satisfying and outstanding 2024 campaign.
