GIANTX jungler Ismaïl "ISMA" Boualem commented on the unexpected victory over G2 Esports, which guaranteed the team a spot in the LEC 2026 Summer Split playoffs. Despite the team's success, the player remained self-critical about his own performance, yet emphasized his readiness to fight for a top-four finish.
Finishing the match week with a 2-0 record, GIANTX secured their place in the upper half of the standings with a 4-3 score. According to ISMA, while preparing for the match against the reigning champions, the team focused solely on themselves. He noted that both teams showed far from their best level of League of Legends, but earning the playoff ticket brought much-needed relief.
Roster changes helped reset the team. Although ISMA doesn't consider the current period a classic "honeymoon," he notes the productive work of the updated lineup and the great atmosphere, maintained by the jokes of Víctor "Flakked" Lirola Tortosa and Adam "Jackies" Jeřábek.
Ahead, GIANTX faces matches against NAVI and Fnatic. The jungler evaluates them as mid-table teams that are highly beatable. Currently, the team is aiming to break into the top 4 and perform in front of the organization's Spanish fans in Madrid. Qualifying for Worlds remains the player's main dream, but right now he is focusing on gradually improving his gameplay rather than global tournament prospects.
Evaluating his own professional development since his time playing for SK, ISMA feels significant progress but emphasizes that he still needs to prove his right to be considered one of the best in the league. The player is not worried about his contract with GIANTX ending at the end of the year—he is convinced that his high individual level will allow him to find a team under any circumstances. Despite the pressure and a natural tendency to stress, the esports athlete stays motivated by reminding himself that being a professional player is his dream job.
As a reminder, Demacia Cup Global Invitational: A New International Tournament for Mid-Table Teams