Xipto Esports sweeps VCT Pacific Game Changers

MANILA, Philippines – Xipto Esports, bannered by top female Filipino Valorant players Kelly "shirazi" Jaudian, Alexandria "Alexy" Francisco and Camille "Kamiyu" Enriquez, ruled the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Game Changers Pacific, sweeping its way to the championship trophy at the True5G Pro Hub in Bangkok, Thailand.

Along with former SMG teammates, Odella “enerii” Abraham and Ryona "Tara" Tan, Xipto Esports took the top spot in Group A after defeating Japanese squads Fennel and ZETA Division to secure their spot in the semifinals, facing all-Filipino squad Sisu Esports.

Though their undefeated map streak came to an end in the semifinals, Xipto Esports survived Sisu Esports to book one of two slots to the world Game Changers stage, 2-1, and move on to the grand finals.

In the other semifinal bracket, ZETA Division outlasted South Korean squad Mir Gaming, 2-1, to also punch their ticket to Berlin and set up a rematch with Xipto Esports.

In the best-of-five grand finals, Xipto Esports set the tone of the match-up, taking ZETA Division's map pick Sunset, 13-8. The difference in mastery of the game was felt in Xipto Esports' map pick of Icebox, taking eight consecutive rounds to propel themselves to match point after a 13-2 win.

In Haven, ZETA Division managed to awaken from a 2-12 deficit to take three consecutive rounds but eventually, Xipto Esports' punished the Japanese squad in Round 18 to complete the sweep.

The win also sees Jaudian, Francisco and Enriquez return to the Valorant world stage after they made their debut last year in Game Changers Brazil, where they finished fourth.