Weekly Recap (April 17) - LEXY returns to BLEED, BTR replace duo, & more
Here’s a roundup of all news that made headlines the past week.
Masters 1 Reykjavik - APAC PRIDE!
VCT Masters 1 Reykjavik has progressed beyond the first week of the event. The top six of the event will feature six teams from six different regions – half of them from Asia (APAC, KR, JP). Here are notable results from the respective teams:
- Paper Rex (APAC)
- vs. DRX (KR) 1-2 (Haven 13-10, Bind 8-13, Ascent 8-13)
- vs. The Guard (NA) 2-0 (Haven 13-10, Split 13-8)
- vs. G2 Esports (EMEA) TODAY, 4:00 AM - Elimination Match
- DRX (KR)
- vs. ZETA DIVISION (JP) 2-0 (Icebox 13-2, Haven 13-3)
- vs. NiP (BR) 2-0 (Icebox 13-4, Breeze 13-8)
- vs. Paper Rex (APAC) 2-1 (Haven 10-13, Bind 13-8, Ascent 13-8)
- vs. OpTic (NA) 1-2 (Ascent 13-8, Icebox 11-13, Split 13-15)
- vs. ZETA DIVISION (JP) TODAY, 1:00 AM - Elimination Match
- ZETA DIVISION (JP)
- vs. DRX (KR) 0-2 (Icebox 2-13, Haven 3-13)
- vs. Fnatic (EMEA) 2-0 (Fracture 13-7, Icebox 13-11)
- vs. NiP (BR) 2-1 (Split 6-13, Icebox 13-10, Fracture 14-12)
- vs. G2 Esports (EMEA) 0-2 (Split 7-13, Bind 10-13)
- vs. Team Liquid (EMEA) 2-1 (Fracture 13-7, Haven 4-13, Split 13-7)
- vs. DRX (KR) TODAY, 1:00 AM - Elimination Match
Hate joins DWG KIA
DWG KIA have announced that they have secured the signing of Lee “Hate” Ye-hun. As the new fifth, the 20-year-old Sentinel presumably completes the rebuilding of the DWG KIA roster that kicked off following the conclusion of their VCT Korea Stage 1 Challengers campaign. The organization has yet to reveal whether they will utilize an extended lineup or just a standard five-man configuration.
Mostly known for representing a different team at each VCT Stage, Hate formerly departed DWG KIA in February 2021, three days after winning VCT Korea Stage 1 Challengers. However, this roster iteration of DWG KIA bears no resemblance to the one Hate previously played with. Kim “t3xture” Na-ra is the only remaining player on DWG KIA from Hate’s first tenure. DWG KIA are now:
- 🇰🇷 Kim “t3xture” Na-ra
- 🇰🇷 Jeong “Esperanza” Jin-cheol
- 🇰🇷 Park “exy” Geun-cheol
- 🇰🇷 Jung “Bangnan” Min-u
- 🇰🇷 Lee “Hate” Ye-hun
- 🇰🇷 Kang “solo” Keun-chul (Head coach)
Bren Esports confirm Symbol signing
Bren Esports’ manager Ishan "ggishan" Adolfo has confirmed that Boggs “Symbol” Ramos has joined the team on a permanent basis. The former SV Empire player had been playing for Bren Esports as a stand-in for the Kings of PH 2022, where they placed 5-6th.
After parting ways with SV Empire in January, Symbol competed under Looking for Org in VCT Philippines Stage 1 Challengers, picking wins over NAOS Esports and eventual champions South Built Esports in the group stage before being knocked out alongside Bren Esports in last place. With Symbol's addition, Bren Esports now have:
- 🇵🇭 Xavier “xavi8k” Juan
- 🇵🇭 Eroll “EJAY” Delfin
- 🇵🇭 Zack “BraiNfreeZe” Bajarias
- 🇵🇭 Yousef “Hotsauz” El-Yousef
- 🇵🇭 Boggs “Symbol” Ramos
- 🇸🇬 See “Evo” Wey Kang (Coach)
Zeal Esports bench roster - REPORT
Zeal Esports has opted to evaluate its options less than a month after unveiling its VCT Stage 2 lineup. No announcement has been made by the Cebu-based organization despite all of their players having removed the team identity from their Twitter.
Carl “senyorcarL” Carandang and Keith “FiresaiyajiN” Madarang remain contracted to Zeal Esports but have been allowed to explore their options heading into Stage 2, the players have announced on Twitter. It remains unknown for the other three players. Zeal Esports were:
- 🇵🇭 Carl “senyorcarL” Carandang
- 🇵🇭 Keith “FiresaiyajiN” Madarang
- 🇵🇭 Cyle “39beats” Pontilar
- 🇺🇸 Tim “dummy” Olson
- 🇸🇬 Dominic “kimmy” Lee
Bigetron Arctic add Nakya & P1ERCEE
Former BEAST member Alehandro "Nakya" Fabian and Dewa United’s Riky "P1ERCEE" Efrizal have officially joined Bigetron Astro ahead of the start of VCT Stage 2. The pair will replace longtime members Sergio “no1syboy” Rahardja and Rey “Vascalizz” Pardede, leaving only Thomas “Cud” Alfinantino and Oliver “budimeisteR” Wangge from their original “Arctic” signing in September.
The new Bigetron Arctic roster will make their first appearance next week as the team will take part in the open qualifier for VCT Indonesia Stage 1 Challengers, which will run from April 27-30. Bigetron Arctic's roster now looks like this:
- 🇮🇩 Alehandro "Nakya" Fabian
- 🇮🇩 Riky "P1ERCEE" Efrizal
- 🇮🇩 Thomas “Cud” Alfinantino
- 🇮🇩 Oliver “budimeisteR” Wangge
- 🇮🇩 Willy “sayoo” Ivandra
Galaxy Esports sign No Namers
Galaxy Esports, an India-based esports organization, has announced the signing of the Singaporean roster No Namers, headlined by Felipe “skyeSG” Lim and Rodman “Vera” Yap. The Singaporean roster competed under the No Namers tag throughout VCT Stage 1, finishing 13-16th in APAC Stage 1 with no organizational backing. The team’s first test under their new colors will be in VCT MY/SG Stage 2 Challengers. Galaxy Esports' current lineup is:
- 🇸🇬 Felipe “skyeSG” Lim
- 🇸🇬 Pierre “Tempz” Heng
- 🇸🇬 Rodman “Vera” Yap
- 🇸🇬 “DxN“
- 🇸🇬 “Shun“
LEXY returns to Bleed eSports
Xavier “LEXY” Lee returns to Bleed eSports active roster, the Singaporean organization announced on Sunday after LEXY’s compulsory National Service has officially been adjourned. “We felt it was only right that he get this final shot at competing before forced retirement.” the organization stated on Twitter. Bleed eSports are now:
- 🇸🇬 Derrick “Deryeon” Yee
- 🇸🇬 Lionel “lenne” Lim
- 🇸🇪 Jacob “pyth” Mourujärvi
- 🇸🇪 Max “maxie” Lönnström
- 🇸🇬 Xavier “LEXY” Lee
- 🇩🇪 Nikola “LEGIJA” Ninić (Coach)
- 🇸🇬 Aaron “Eno” Cheah (Assistant coach)
For more insights on the Asian VALORANT scene and upcoming content like this, be sure to like and follow VALO2ASIA on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Cover photo courtesy of Lance Skundrich/Riot Games