In an exclusive announcement via SiegeGG, GOSU Gaming has confirmed that the team will be undergoing a significant roster shuffle. In come the players of FightiR, Mas, shinbagel, and SpeakEasy, while Kenody, and Quervo depart. Not only does this move mark the biggest roster move in Asia-Pacific (APAC), if not across all regions, it also involves the movement of two players across to a new region. All four of the newcomers will be playing for GOSU in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Pro League and other regional competitions from here on out, but the team has declined to comment on how their new seven-man strong lineup will be split across the core and substitute player roles.
FightiR in Season 2, playing for Denial
The first of the four new GOSU players is one that many will be familiar with -- Adam “FightiR” Vallejo. The American player most famously played in the Xbox Pro League in Year 1, winning the Pro League with eXcellence Gaming and Denial in Seasons 1 and 2 respectively. His crowning achievement came with Elevate, however, when the team won the 2017 Six Invitational on Xbox after defeating a FuriouSG-led Team Vitality 10-0.
Coming over from the USA with him is Tomas “Mas” Pansini, who was a PC player in Year 2 of the NA Pro League. He first appeared on the scene in Season 4 as a substitute for FoxA in one game with Most Wanted (now Obey Alliance), before moving to BitterSweet (now Spacestation Gaming) for Season 5. His team was only able finish in 5th-6th place, and Mas then departed for what would become Noble esports. While he managed to help the team qualify for the Challenger League, personal commitments saw him step down for his slot to be filled by breezy.
In Season 6, shinbagel had been on Team CryptiK
The next player joining GOSU is a famous -- or some might say infamous -- name in APAC. Also the General Manager for the team, Richard “shinbagel” Shin will also be making his competitive return as a player. He first made a name for himself in the 2017 Six Invitational APAC Qualifiers as a part of Dynamo Gaming, before appearing in the inaugural season of the APAC Pro League with Team Envy (later Team CryptiK, and now Aerowolf). Spending only a season with them, he departed for the ANZ side Corvidae (now ViewSonic.DarkSided) but only featured in a handful of matches before disappearing without an official announcement from both player and organisation.
Last but not least, Singaporean player Matin “SpeakEasy” Yunos is also joining the squad in the fourth and final roster change for GOSU. While a relative unknown outside of SEA, his prowess is not to be underestimated. Since Season 6, he has been on Singaporean side KlickBait Tactics and has comfortably been the side’s top performer every season. He will no doubt be missed by his former team, who has brought CocoWolf in as a replacement.
We interviewed the trio of FightiR, Mas, and shinbagel to know more about them and these changes.
Glad to have you returning to the competitive scene, shinbagel, Mas, and FightiR. What have you guys been up to since then?
Let's address the elephant in the room right away. Why make the return to competitive Siege now? Why in APAC, in SEA, with GOSU?
Tell us more about SpeakEasy, a name the audience outside of SEA will not be familiar with.
Where will you guys be staying? How different do you think it will be to live here?
How are your finances being handled such as transportation (airfare and daily transport) and food? Are you guys going to be salaried?
How did this entire move come about?
Given that Season 9 of the Pro League is some ways away, the first event you'll be taking part in will be the Six Invitational qualifiers, correct? How much practice have you guys already had together?
You are in the unique position of experiencing the NA, KR, ANZ and SEA play-styles first-hand. What are the biggest differences?
Shinbagel, since your departure from Team CryptiK (and later Corvidae), there have been rumours swirling about acrimonious fallouts. Would you care to comment?
You must be acutely aware of Aerowolf’s strength in the region, especially given that you played with the majority of them, not to mention upstarts Xavier Esports, as well as Fnatic, mantis FPS, and NORA-Rengo. With your new side, what kind of a challenge do you expect to be able to mount against them?
What are your goals with GOSU -- number 1 APAC? Or something a little more tempered at first, like simply top 2 SEA (aka APAC LAN qualification)?
What would you like to say to our readers?
Catch the team in action presumably during the 2019 Six Invitational APAC Qualifiers, and then in Season 9 of the SEA Pro League.
The GOSU roster is:
Ilham “Sunan” Surya
Dyaz “Evou” Caesar
Benny “Berphy” Rachmadi
Adam “FightiR” Vallejo
Tomas “Mas” Pansini
Richard “shinbagel” Shin
Matin “SpeakEasy” Yunos