JessieVash exits Team Secret after five-year run

MANILA, Philippines — One of the longest-standing tenures in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) has come to a close, as Team Secret officially announced the departure of veteran Filipino player Jessie “JessieVash” Cuyco after nearly five years with the organization.

Cuyco’s exit marks the end of a journey that began in 2021, when Team Secret absorbed the former Bren Esports roster following its breakthrough international campaign. From that point on, Cuyco became the constant figure in a team that would undergo multiple rebuilds and transitions as the VCT evolved into a franchised league.

Over the years, roster changes came and went, but Cuyco remained — guiding younger teammates as in-game leader and serving as the team’s veteran presence both inside and outside the server.

“Nothing but gratitude. Grateful for the journey. On to the next chapter. Looking forward to spending more time with my son. While keeping an open mind for what's next,” Cuyco wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, following the announcement.

Nothing but gratitude. ????
Grateful for the journey.

On to the next chapter. ????

Looking forward to spending more time with my son.
While keeping an open mind for what's next. ????

— Secret Jessievash (@Secret_JcVash) June 12, 2026

His departure formally shuts the door on one of the VCT’s longest continuous player stints with a single organization — a rarity in a scene defined by frequent roster shuffles.

Cuyco, long dubbed “Uncle” by peers and fans, had built a reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s most experienced esports professionals even before Valiant. His career spans multiple titles, including Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, where he also served as a coach.

He was part of the first-ever The International in 2011, and went on to bring that experience into every roster he joined. In Valorant, that translated into a leadership role, often stepping in as the team’s in-game leader and mentor.

Even in the latter stages of his career, he continued to deliver crucial performances. In one of Team Secret’s notable wins in 2024, he turned heads with key multi-kill rounds against Paper Rex — earning praise from opposing coach Alexandre “alecks” Salle, who called him the team’s most impactful player in the series.

But while individual moments stood out, Team Secret as a whole struggled to find sustained success in the VCT Pacific League.

Despite flashes of promise, including a runner-up finish in the 2023 Pacific Last Chance Qualifier, the team failed to qualify for any international events during the franchise era. Their results gradually declined in subsequent seasons, culminating in a last-place finish at the 2026 Kickoff tournament and a difficult campaign that saw the team secure its first win only months into the season.

Those results ultimately set the stage for a full rebuild — one that now moves forward without its longtime captain.

Cuyco had already stepped back from the active roster ahead of last year's VCT Pacific Stage 2, citing exhaustion and external pressures from community criticism. At the time, he expressed hope that a break would allow him to reset and return to competition. He would eventually return to play the team's last match before their elimination at the group stages.

He was back in Team Secret's active roster at the start of the 2026 season but was unable to qualify for both Masters Santiago and Masters London.

With Cuyco’s exit, Team Secret fields a new-look roster composed of Filipino players Kelly “kellyS” Sedillo, Jhian “Zeus” Vega, and Dwine “Rimuru” Enriquez, alongside South Korean player Go “Sylvan” Young-sup and Indonesian Rizkie “BerserX” Adla Kusuma, under the guidance of Filipino head coach Jose “Rbtx” Jamir and Singaporean analyst Felipe “skye” Lim.

The team still has one remaining opportunity to qualify for an international event this season, as they compete in VCT Pacific Stage 2 for a chance at qualifying for Valorant Champions.