“It was an in-the-moment decision”: G2’s IGL Valyn on JonahP’s departure

G2 Esports’ choice to take away Jonah ‘JonahP’ Pulice from its VALORANT roster forward of the 2026 VCT season shocked the neighborhood.

The transfer left little to no time for the Canadian participant to discover a new staff and got here as a shock, particularly contemplating the organisation’s performances all through 2025.

Not solely did G2 Esports prolong its keep within the Worldwide League for one more yr by qualifying for VALORANT Champions 2025, however it additionally completed second at Masters Bangkok whereas securing a high 5 placement at Masters Toronto.

On high of that, the Ascension staff dominated all three regional occasions, profitable VCT Americas Kickoff, Stage 1, and Stage 2.

Talking with Esports Insider on the 2026 Americas Kickoff pre-event press convention concerning the JonahP’s elimination, G2’s IGL Jacob ‘valyn’ Batio revealed that it was a sudden choice.

“We’re all the time on the lookout for small methods to enhance as a staff. I might say this Offseason was a busy one, and it was one thing that wasn’t one thing that was actually anticipated. I believe everybody can attest to that. It was one thing that was a really a lot within the second choice,” he mentioned.

Explaining the addition of Andrej ‘babybay’ Francisty to the beginning lineup, after he initially joined as a stand-in for Nathan ‘leaf’ Orf earlier for Esports World Cup, Valyn added:

“We thought Andrej [babybay] may herald a singular perspective for us that we haven’t had at these worldwide occasions, which is simply the psychological facet of the sport. We noticed a rise in our efficiency once we performed with him in Stage 2 when leaf was gone, and I’m certain everybody remembers these moments.

“G2 regarded revitalized with babybay, so we wished to attempt to sprinkle that in going into 2026 with him being on the beginning roster as a result of he’s nonetheless acquired it. Everybody is aware of that babybay up to now was one of many strongest mechanical gamers in VALORANT,” he additional elaborated.

babybay helped G2 win its second Purple Residence Floor trophy with an 220 ACS efficiency, whereas additionally securing a high 5 place on the VALORANT Radiant Worldwide Invitational. 

Including on to Valyn’s feedback, babybay mentioned, “I believe Jacob [Valyn] hit the nail on the pinnacle with loads of what he mentioned. I believe certainly one of my most important jobs right here is to maintain these guys on observe, particularly mentally.  I do know I assist out so much together with his calling, whereas conserving everybody centered when issues can get distracting.”

Speaking about his return to aggressive VALORANT and particular person efficiency, babybay added:

“It’s been enjoyable discovering the shape once more and with the ability to create my very own distinctive model of play on these new brokers and nobody actually is aware of how I’m going to be taking part in them.”

G2 has undeniably been probably the most constant groups in VCT because it entered the Worldwide League in 2024. That mentioned, the organisation remains to be chasing its first worldwide title. 

The roster got here near at Masters Bangkok; nevertheless, narrowly missed out in a heartbreaking best-of-five sequence in opposition to T1. 

Valyn acknowledged the psychological strain the staff has skilled on stage and talked about that bringing in babybay seems like a step in the precise course. The IGL additionally hopes to raise at the least one worldwide trophy through the 2026 season:

“Final yr was nice, however it additionally wasn’t at instances. We failed fairly badly at Champs [Champions Paris] and I believe all of us took that on the chin fairly arduous. I might say in Toronto, we acquired high 4, but when we’re trustworthy with ourselves, we needed to make a 3-11 comeback to even get there. It took a miracle to even be in that place and it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient.

“We’re on the lookout for a approach to get that first place. Possibly that is the reply, possibly it isn’t, however we really feel prefer it’s the precise course for our staff. It was a tough choice [parting ways with JonahP], however we’ll see the way it performs out,” Valyn elaborated.

Since G2 Esports certified for Champions Paris, it’s going to start its 2026 VCT marketing campaign within the second spherical of the triple-elimination bracket at Americas Kickoff. The staff will face the winner of LEVIATÁN vs 100 Thieves within the higher bracket on January seventeenth in a best-of-three sequence.

All matches from the occasion will probably be streamed reside on VCT Americas’ official Twitch and YouTube channels.