With VCT Ascension Pacific 2024 about to start on September 20th, we take a look at five rising talents that you should keep an eye on.
INDONESIA – With just under two weeks to go until the VCT Ascension Pacific 2024 event, one team will come out on top and earn a place in next year’s tier-one VCT Pacific League.
Of these ten teams, we have identified ten standout players to keep an eye on in Jakarta. Their performances in recent months have impressed both teammates and rivals, and they could be the game-changers needed at this all-important event.
Here are some names that you should be watching out for as the event is about to start.
ALSO READ: What to do during VCT Ascension Pacific 2024 in Jakarta?
Sin Prisa Gaming – Challengers Korea
- Player to Watch: Persia
- Honorable Mention: Dambi
Yang “Persia” Zi-on is far from a newcomer. With a background in the Overwatch League with the Boston Uprising since 2019, he’s well-versed in high-level competition, though it was a different game entirely. Despite having been playing VALORANT since 2020, the past few months have brought him closer than ever to competing at the highest level of the game.
First appeared in the tier-two VALORANT Challengers with TUBEPLE Gaming alongside current BOOM coach Ji “meow” Dong-jun, and later with India’s Orangutan, Persia is now playing for Sin Prisa Gaming, who have been considered by many as the strongest contenders among the ten teams.
BOOM Esports – Challengers Indonesia
- Player to Watch: famouz
- Honorable Mention: Shiro
As the hometown favorites, BOOM Esports will be feeling the weight of high expectations, and Fikri “famouz” Zaki is the player who could turn this pressure into an advantage for the team. The 26-year-old was leading in multiple statistical categories during their Ascension-qualifying campaign in Jakarta, including VLR Rating, ACS, K/D, KAST, ADR, KPR, and FKPR.
For BOOM Esports to play in front of their home crowd during the final three days, famouz will need to maintain his consistency as if he were facing yet another domestic team in the Regular Season.
RIDDLE ORDER – Challengers Japan
- Player to Watch: Seoldam
- Honorable Mention: Caedye
The OG Korean Jett is on a mission to return to the VCT Pacific League. His time with DetonatioN FocusMe didn’t exactly paint a flattering picture of his abilities, but with the right people around him, Park “Seoldam” Sang-min has bounced back to showcase spectacular gameplay that’s catching everyone’s eye.
The grand finals of Challengers JP Split 2 were a perfect example of why Seoldam belongs to playing at the COEX Artium Seoul next year, as he inspired RIDDLE ORDER to complete a reverse sweep against the defending Challengers champions FENNEL.
Now, all eyes are on him and his new squad, which includes familiar faces like captain Cho “JoXJo” Byung-yeon and three ZETA DIVISION Academy alumni: Amon “Caedye” Okakura, “Aace,” and “yatsuka.”
DSG – Challengers MY/SG
- Player to Watch: Juicy
- Honorable Mention: grumble
What more is there to say than that this is the player everyone is going to pick to watch? After being an important part of the Ascension-winning BLEED roster, he’s back to help another MY/SG team reach the VCT Pacific League. DSG have their bootcamp set in Singapore ahead of the Ascension event, hoping to be fully prepared when it’s time to head to Jakarta and play.
NAOS Esports – Challengers Philippines
- Player to Watch: PapiChulo
- Honorable Mention: JA
Deko “PapiChulo” Evangelista has become one of the most interesting Filipino players to follow since last year, playing a key role for NAOS Esports as they fend off rising challengers like Oasis Gaming and ZOL Esports.
In the four Challengers Philippines events he has competed in with NAOS since last year, PapiChulo has consistently ranked among the top three players while playing as a Controller.
- 2023 Challengers PH Split 1 // 1.24 VLR Rating over 500 rounds (#1)
- 2023 Challengers PH Split 2 // 1.22 VLR Rating over 644 rounds (#2)
- 2023 Ascension Pacific // 1.15 VLR rating over 306 rounds (#9)
- 2024 Challengers PH Split 1 // 1.20 VLR Rating over 458 rounds (#3)
- 2024 Challengers PH Split 2 // 1.29 VLR Rating over 619 rounds (#1)
At 27 years old, he’s clearly proven himself as VCT Pacific-ready, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him join a partnered team next year.
ALSO READ: 5 Players to Watch at VCT Ascension Pacific 2024 Jakarta [PART 2]
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Cover photo courtesy of VALORANT Esports Indonesia
