Filipinos get early boot in VCT Pacific Kickoff

MANILA, Philippines — All-Filipino Valorant squad Team Secret, along with fellow Filipinos Federico "Papi" Evangelista and Kelly "kellyS" Sedillo of Global Esports, suffered early elimination in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific Kickoff tournament as they both lost their respective lower bracket matches Monday night at the Sangam Colosseum in Seoul, South Korea.

Taking their former coach Evan "Warbirds" Olzem, Team Secret was able to fend off Indonesia's RRQ in their map pick of Lotus. But the Adobo Gang seemed to have lost their drive as they quickly fell 4-13 in the second and third map, eliminating them from the tournament.

With the defeat, Team Secret absorbed its worst outing in a VCT Pacific tournament, finishing in ninth to 12th place.

On the other side of the bracket, Filipino players Evangelista and Sedillo of Global Esports were trailing 0-1 against Japan's DFM. In the team's map pick of Split, Global Esports managed to take a 12-10 lead in the close match-up, but DFM pulled back to force overtime and eventually take the series win 12-14, eliminating the final Filipino players from competition.

As the remaining teams hope to secure a slot in the Valorant Masters Bangkok, Team Secret and Global Esports will focus on preparations for VCT Pacific Stage 1 beginning in March.