Biguzera: Pressure After Austin and the Road Back for paiN

Biguzera: Pressure After Austin and the Road Back for paiN

paiN’s in-game leader Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt says the team has been wrestling with expectations ever since their surprise semi-final run at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. Speaking at the BLAST Rivals media day, he admitted the squad “felt a lot of pressure” after Austin and “didn’t handle it well,” adding that consistency will only return by playing more official matches rather than trying to “fix it off the server.” He stressed that there’s still “a lot more to show,” while acknowledging that FURIA are currently “in another stage of Counter-Strike.”

The Major itself was a turning point for paiN — the roster, revitalized by the addition of Franco “dgt” Garcia, broke into the top four in Austin and defeated domestic rivals FURIA twice during the event. Their mid-year struggles, however, were linked to a drop in mindset following that high point, with biguzera later explaining that the key was to “think the same way all the time” regardless of results.

That theme — pressure and professionalism — has recurred throughout the year. In July, biguzera emphasized that the team needed to “focus and be much more professional,” admitting they weren’t at their best after a short practice break. Earlier in June, as results fluctuated during the Major cycle, he said that spending time at home in Brazil helped the team mentally reset more than a European bootcamp would have.

Other voices around paiN have echoed that sentiment. AWPer Lucas “nqz” Soares praised biguzera for “putting me in really good situations so I can shine with the AWP” after a key comeback win in Austin’s Stage 3. The team also kept their Major run alive by eliminating 3DMAX — one of several confidence-building victories that week.

Beyond his latest interview, biguzera has consistently highlighted the difficulty of maintaining top-level performance after a breakthrough run. “Making the playoffs was surreal, but keeping that level is even harder,” he noted, also pointing out that “a derby is always different” when facing other Brazilian sides. His message has remained the same: keep grinding, stay focused, and don’t lose sight of the long-term goal.

Reflecting on roster changes earlier in the year, biguzera stated there’s “no regret” about parting ways with Lucas “lux” Meneghini, calling him a talented player but stressing that the move was necessary for the team’s growth — especially as both sides have since found success in their respective directions.

Bottom line: paiN’s post-Austin struggles, according to biguzera, are rooted more in mindset and the challenge of handling expectations than in firepower. The team still believes the ceiling shown in Texas is within reach — but regaining that form will require steadier routines, more match play, and a calmer approach to pressure.