HEROIC Announce Sale Of SunPayus, sAw To G2 Esports
HEROIC has officially announced the departures of AWPer Álvaro “SunPayus” García and coach Eetu “sAw” Saha following the BLAST.tv Austin Major. This roster change marks a significant shift for the team as both players will join G2 Esports in a move that underscores the dynamic nature of the competitive landscape in Counter-Strike 2.
### Compliance with Valve Regulations
The announcement, made on May 27, adheres to Valve’s conflict-of-interest policy, which mandates the disclosure of all transfers involving Major teams prior to the event. Originally, HEROIC intended to keep the details under wraps until after the tournament. However, they were compelled to comply with regulatory requirements, highlighting the importance of transparency in esports management.
### Player Performance and Contributions
SunPayus joined HEROIC in January 2025 after spending time on Team Falcons’ inactive roster. His impact on the team has been undeniable; with a 1.11 rating, he emerged as HEROIC’s third highest-rated player. His tactical discipline and consistency played a crucial role in stabilizing the team amidst significant roster changes, especially following the exits of Rene “TeSeS” Madsen, Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski, and Abdulkhalik “degster” Gasanov.
Similarly, sAw has been pivotal since taking over as the coach in 2023, guiding HEROIC through ongoing roster upheavals while ensuring continued Major qualifications. Under his leadership, the team recently captured titles at the CCT Season 2 Global Finals and the MESA Nomadic Masters Spring. As they face the Chinggis Warriors in the first stage of the BLAST.tv Austin Major, the focus will be on maximizing their performance in this crucial tournament.
### G2’s Strategic Shift
For G2 Esports, the addition of SunPayus signals a fresh chapter. After facing challenges with the departure of star AWPer Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov and in-game leader Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, they turned to SunPayus as a long-term solution. Previously, G2 had relied on Polish player Aleksander “hades” Miśkiewicz, but his loan agreement expires post-Major, making SunPayus a timely reinforcement.
The reunion between SunPayus and sAw (his former coach at ENCE) is particularly promising. The duo has a proven track record, having achieved significant success together, including deep runs at prestigious tournaments like IEM Cologne and a championship at IEM Dallas in 2023. This familiarity could be instrumental in G2’s roster rebuilding efforts.
### Changes in Coaching Structure
The transition also marks the end of Wiktor “TaZ” Wojtas’ tenure as G2’s head coach. After 18 months, during which the team experienced both title challenges and a rebuilding phase, TaZ steps down to allow for a new strategic direction. With sAw now at the helm, G2 is poised to implement a more sustainable growth model, focusing on long-term success over transient fixes.
### Opportunities Amid Challenges
Both G2 and HEROIC find themselves at a pivotal moment, with one last chance to make roster adjustments this offseason without jeopardizing their VRS status and risking future tournament invites.
As HEROIC heads into the Austin Major with a roster on the brink of change, the team light-heartedly remarked that they are “back in the kitchen cooking something spicy.” The upcoming month promises to be a transitional period filled with anticipation as they prepare for a substantial overhaul.
Meanwhile, G2 can now strategize with renewed focus, fresh leadership, and a top-tier AWPer whose structured and reliable approach may better fit the team’s needs as they strive for stability and success in the highly competitive esports arena.
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With these changes, both teams are positioned to adapt to the evolving tournament landscape, a testament to the ongoing commitment to excellence in the realm of esports. As the curtain rises on the BLAST.tv Austin Major, all eyes will be on these key players and their reshaped organizations, making this an exciting time in the Counter-Strike 2 scene.
