PatMen rounds out Global Esports roster for 2026
The Masters Toronto winner will play for Global Esports in 2026.
INDIA – Global Esports have completed their VALORANT roster rebuild for the 2026 season with the signing of Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza from Paper Rex. The 24-year-old joins ahead of VCT Pacific 2026, and will link up once again with former NAOS teammate Xavier “xavi8k” Juan as Global Esports look to turn the page after an up-and-down 2025 campaign.
PatMen arrives in Global Esports colors after spending the season in tier-one with Paper Rex, where he contributed to a strong year domestically and internationally. During his stint, Paper Rex secured podium finishes in both VCT Pacific Stage 1 and Stage 2, and capping the year with the organization’s first international trophy at VALORANT Masters Toronto.
In a statement, Paper Rex said, “As the team has grown from strength to strength over the last several years, so too has our determination, to field the absolute best roster we can. This decision comes after a comprehensive internal review involving our players, coaching staff, and performance team. At Paper Rex, roster decisions are never made lightly or in isolation; they reflect the collective assessment of competitive needs, team dynamics, and long-term goals. Throughout this process, our priority has been to ensure clarity and care for everyone involved.”
Among the messages shared in the press release, Paper Rex performance coach LJ “Panda” Cheng shared a note to PatMen:
“It's been an amazing run with you Pat. Getting to know you and seeing your fun energetic side, bike rides through the rain, or getting ankle broken by you has been so much fun. You’ve had a positive impact on our whole team not just inside but outside the game as well. Although we are parting ways for now, I’m looking forward to seeing you grow into your full potential. You have what it takes and you know what to work on, now it’s grind time.”
PatMen is the final piece in what has become a sweeping overhaul for Global Esports heading into 2026. The organization has moved on from Federico “PapiChulo” Evangelista, Chae “yoman” Young-mun, and Joseph “ban” Oh, while retaining a core trio in Savva “Kr1stal” Fedorov, Go “UdoTan” Kyung-won, and Derrick “Deryeon” Yee.
His arrival also follows Global’s earlier additions of Kale “autumn” Dunne and xavi8k.
On top of the player changes, Global Esports have also confirmed a stacked support structure around the team, appointing Hector “FrosT” Rosario as head coach and locking in Vladimir “vladk0r” Kornev as coach, with analysts Thong “balax” Chern Kwi and Daniel “Platoon” Zhou joining the project.
Global Esports are set to open their VCT 2026 campaign against VARREL, newly promoted from VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 in Bangkok under the SLT Seongnam banner. If they advance, a matchup against Paper Rex awaits in the next round.
Global Esports roster for 2026 is as follows:
- Savva “Kr1stal” Fedorov
- Go “UdoTan” Kyung-won
- Derrick “Deryeon” Yee
- Kale “autumn” Dunne
- Xavier “xavi8k” Juan
- Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza
- Hector “FrosT” Rosario (Head coach)
- Vladimir “vladk0r” Kornev (Coach)
- Thong “balax” Chern Kwi (Analyst)
- Daniel “Platoon” Zhou (Analyst)
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Cover photo courtesy of VCT Pacific