HEROIC has confirmed that their talented AWPer, Alvaro ‘SunPayus’ Garcia, and experienced coach, Eetu ‘sAw’ Saha, will transition to G2 Esports following the BLAST.tv Austin Major. The announcement came early due to conflict-of-interest regulations tied to the upcoming Counter-Strike 2 tournament, set to take place from 3 to 22 June 2025.
HEROIC shared their gratitude for both individuals, noting that a proper celebration of their contributions will follow after the Austin event. They also hinted at exciting plans in the works, suggesting that the organisation is already preparing for the next chapter. In a light-hearted social media post, HEROIC playfully asked if anyone knew a skilled AWPer or coach to fill the void.
HEROIC’s Journey to Austin Major
Currently ranked 15th in the CS2 Valve Regional Standings (VRS), HEROIC earned their spot at the BLAST.tv Austin Major through the European Regional Qualifier. The team is gearing up for a competitive showing at the event, marking the final appearance for SunPayus and sAw under the HEROIC banner. Their departure signals a pivotal moment for the Norwegian organisation as they look to rebuild for the remainder of the 2025 season.
G2 Esports’ Strategic Moves
G2 Esports has faced a whirlwind of changes in recent months. In April, the organisation parted ways with their star AWPer, Ilya ‘m0NESY’ Osipov, who moved to Team Falcons after the PGL Bucharest tournament. To fill the gap, G2 brought in Aleksander ‘hades’ Miśkiewicz on loan from Monte. However, with the loan deal set to expire after the Austin Major, G2 moved swiftly to secure SunPayus as their new AWPer for the 2025 season.
SunPayus, a Spanish sharpshooter, joined HEROIC in January 2025 after a period of inactivity with Team Falcons. His career, which began in 2018, boasts impressive achievements, including a second-place finish at IEM Masters Cologne and a victory at IEM Masters Dallas in 2023, both while competing for Finnish organisation ENCE.
sAw’s Coaching Legacy
Coach sAw, also hailing from Finland, brings a wealth of experience to G2 Esports. Starting as a CS:GO player in 2014, he shifted to coaching in 2019 and joined HEROIC in December 2023. His tenure with HEROIC has been marked by consistent qualification for major tournaments, even amidst frequent roster changes. Under his guidance, HEROIC secured 7th place at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 and 8th at the recent IEM Masters Dallas.
The team also clinched victories at two A-tier events in 2025: the CCT Season 2 Global Finals and the MESA Nomadic Masters Spring, showcasing sAw’s ability to steer the squad to success. His move to G2 Esports is expected to bring a strategic edge to their Counter-Strike 2 campaign.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
As SunPayus and sAw prepare for their final outing with HEROIC at the Austin Major, fans are eager to see how the duo will perform before donning G2’s colours. Meanwhile, HEROIC faces the challenge of filling the gaps left by their departure, with the organisation already teasing bold plans for the future. For G2 Esports, the addition of SunPayus and sAw signals a renewed push for dominance in the CS2 scene, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 season.