PatMen, xavi8k qualify for Valorant Masters London

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino players Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza and Xavier "xavi8k" Juan secured their ticket to London as their team Global Esports survived Paper Rex, 2-1, in the upper bracket semifinals of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific Stage 1 to qualify to the Valorant Masters London.

In its first time to reach the playoffs ever, Global Esports easily swept RRQ, 2-0, to set up yet another matchup with Paper Rex.

Both teams have faced each other four times this year, with Paper Rex always at the advantage and keeping Global Esports at bay.

But with the winning momentum on its side, Global Esports was able to break the back-and-forth round wins in Breeze to take the opening map, 13-9. But there's a reason why Paper Rex is considered the best team in the world as it was quick to bounce back and take its map pick of Lotus, 6-13, to force a decider.

On Pearl, Global Esports came prepared with a strong defensive run, securing a comfortable 9-3 lead at the half. Switching to the attacking side, Global Esports prevented Paper Rex from building momentum, taking four consecutive rounds to finish the series, 13-5, to secure its first win against Paper Rex and qualify for its first ever international tournament.

"I think we just have the right group of guys. I've said [before] I think this is the best team I've had so far in Valorant. And this is a showcase of why. I think sometimes we kill ourselves and hurt ourselves, but you know, we have only been a team for four or five months and sometimes, you know, this league is so competitive,” said Global Esports head coach Hector "FrosT" Rosario during the post-match press conference.

“I mean, we played Paper Rex four times already. That is a full season worth of games against the best team in the world. Meanwhile, other teams don't have to go through that gauntlet, but we persevered. We made it.”

"I'm very happy. Well, I'm so glad that the team played together. You know, we weren't scared of Paper Rex, who's like the best team in the world. We trusted ourselves and we were all confident, like we played as a unit. I'm very happy with what we showed today," Juan said at the post-match press conference.

For Mendoza, the win marks a return to the global stage with a new team after qualifying for the Masters Toronto and Valorant Champions last year with Paper Rex.

"Of course, it's really nice to go back to Masters with a different banner. I mean, a lot of people hated me [when we were eliminated] in Champions last year, but of course, it's one of my motivations as well, to redeem myself on an international level," said Mendoza.

Though already qualifying to the Masters London, the job is not yet done for Global Esports as it hopes to secure its first VCT Pacific trophy, facing Rosario's former team, Full Sense, in the Upper Bracket finals on May 15. 

This as the tournament moves from South Korea to Vietnam for the finals at the Thiskyhall Sala Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City.