Filipino Valorant talent will continue to be represented in the VCT Pacific Stage 2 playoffs, with Paper Rex and Global Esports securing direct playoff qualification in the final week of the group stage.
The biggest development of the week came from Global Esports, which features Filipino standouts Xavier “xavi8k” Juan and Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza.
Global Esports sealed a convincing 2-0 sweep of Zeta Division to finish the group stage at 3-2, keeping itself in contention for one of Group Alpha’s two direct playoff spots.
The victory alone, however, was not enough to mathematically secure qualification.
GE’s playoff fate was officially confirmed after Rex Regum Qeon defeated Nongshim RedForce, 2-1 – a result that prevented Nongshim from overtaking the team in the standings. With both results going their way, Global Esports locked in second place behind unbeaten Gen.G and claimed a direct berth to the playoffs, avoiding the longer play-in stage route.
Joining them in the playoffs is Paper Rex, which features Filipino veteran Adrian “invy” Reyes.
Paper Rex closed its group stage campaign with a 0-2 loss to Varrel, but the defeat ultimately did little damage to the squad’s postseason hopes. Having already built enough wins earlier in the split, PRX still finished second in Group Omega at 3-2 and secured one of the four automatic playoff spots.
The story was less favorable for Team Secret and its Filipino standouts Jhian “Zeus” Vega and Kelly “kellyS” Sedillo.
Team Secret suffered a 0-2 defeat to DetonatioN FocusMe (DFM) in the final week, a result that left the Philippine organization outside the direct qualification spots. If it hopes to stay alive in the tournament, Team Secret must battle through the play-ins with the rest of the Pacific Teams as well as four Tier 2 teams for the last four spots in the playoffs.
Team Secret will open its play-in campaign against Xipto Esports on August 14 at 7 p.m.