‘We had to pay all from our pockets’: tuyz, Fluxo W7M look ahead to Stage 2 Play-Ins

Photo by Tina Jo/Riot Games

As VCT Americas Stage 2 moves into its Play-Ins, it welcomes four Challengers teams, including Brazil Stage 2 champions Fluxo W7M. Ult Orb spoke with Fluxo player Arthur “tuyz” Andrade, who is best known for his time in VCT with outfits like LOUD and FURIA, and discussed his mindset heading into the playoffs and what it’s like to have financial backing.

Just a few weeks ago, the champions of Brazilian Valorant were without an org. LA MASIA, as the team was known, was just a team of five Brazilian Valorant players and one coach.

“We worked hard to get here,” tuyz said. “We didn’t have an org, and we had to pay all from our pockets… being alive, food, everything. We grinded a lot.”

tuyz and the rest of the LA MASIA boys, of course, don’t have to pay out of pocket anymore. On August 7, Fluxo W7M signed the squad. Those who might not be familiar with Brazilian esports may not know the org, but we’ll let tuyz do all of the explaining.

“We really needed that,” tuyz said. “We were paying, since the beginning of the year, from our pockets, like we are paying for everything. We know that Fluxo is a really, really big organization in Brazil. So, we are really, really happy, and now they are helping us a lot, so it’s something very great.”

To reach the Play-Ins, Fluxo had to fight through a region that is rich with talent, including Last Chance Qualifiers winners 2Game Esports.

“When we qualified, my first reaction was like, (to) start jumping; I was super happy,” he said. “I started crying because there were a lot of emotions, a lot of memories. I had a lot of, like, tough moments. So, that moment when we won was something crazy. Like, all the feelings were going crazy, and I was super happy, and I’m really happy right now.”

The road back to the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles was a tough one, but the venue itself is a familiar one for tuyz. Across three seasons from 2023 to 2025, he frequented the arena while competing for LOUD and FURIA.

“I love LA,” tuyz said. “I had a lot of good memories with old teams and places here. I love this place, so for me it’s super nice to be here and share these moments with my new teammates.”

What did tuyz miss the most? A burger, but not the one that you’re thinking of.

“I was really missing Shake Shack,” tuyz said with a smile. “I love the food. I love the place. Like the hamburger and, most, the milkshake. The cookies and cream is my favorite one, and I was really missing it. I really missed Venice Beach. I love the vibe. The sunset is super nice. I think it’s my favorite place around the world. So I’m really happy to be here and be there.”

On the topic of LA, tuyz says he’s changed a lot since the last time he competed there.

“I think I grew as a man in-game and outside,” he said. “I think I’m more focused. I know what’s going to, you know, piss me off in games so I can control more. Like my emotions, I can control better than before.”

When tuyz slotted into the LOUD roster, which had just won Champions Istanbul months before, he had just turned 19 years old, making him one of the youngest players on the team.

“I was like a kid, and a lot of things happening in the game would affect me,” he said. “Now, I think I can control more things in-game and outside. So I think I’m better professionally and personally.”

tuyz describes Fluxo as a team that can be hyper-aggressive and leans into double-Duelist comps, but also has plenty of flexibility.

Looking forward, Fluxo and tuyz have a date with Cloud9 to kick off the Play-Ins. The North American side ended the group stage 2-3, but enters this match having won each of its last two. Against C9, tuyz has revenge on his mind.

“I never won against Oxy, so it’s going to be my revenge,” he said. “He won against me once in the past, and I really want this revenge, but I think they’re a really good team and it’s going to be a hard match. They have individual good players, and they are a good team as a five, so we have to be aware and be good.”

Fluxo W7M vs. Cloud9 will be the second match on Friday, following a Brazilian clash between FURIA and 2Game Esports.