Apeks become the first VCT team to be relegated from the partnership system

Apeks have become the first team to be relegated from the VCT partnership system. Following a reverse sweep defeat against KOI in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 2 earlier, Apeks have officially failed to meet either condition for defending their partnership slot in VCT Ascension EMEA 2025: either finish in the top 8 in Championship Points or qualify for the Stage 2 playoffs. With this loss, Apeks will have to fight through VCT Challengers next year for a shot to reclaim a spot in VCT EMEA in 2027.

A nightmarish situation

Apeks' impact in VCT EMEA has been lackluster this year. Despite showing glimmers of hope in their matches, most notably playing a close game against Natus Vincere, the team failed to win a single match in tier 1.

The organization's troubles perhaps started even before the season had started. Apeks' star duelist Kajetan "kaajak" Haremski, who carried the team to a win in VCT 2024 - Ascension: EMEA to earn a partnership slot in the first place, was poached by Fnatic to fill the void left by Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev. Kaajak was by far the best player in VCT Ascension EMEA 2024, leading in rating, ACS, ADR, K/D, and KPR, while no other player from Apeks was in the list for the top 10 rated players. Apeks were to going to have to start their season at an immediate disadvantage without their hard-carry. Dom "soulcas" Sulcas, another important piece for their Ascension victory, was also immediately sniped by Movistar KOI.

The organization attempted to remedy the situation by signing Ava "florescent" Eugene, a historic move as the first Game Changers player to compete in the highest tier of VCT. They were able to make the most of the situation, being one of top players in multiple combat stats in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 1, yet stepped away from the rest of the season after Split 1.

Despite Floresecent's heroics, the rest of the roster failed to step up to the competition. Mehmet Batu "batujnax" ÖZASLAN, from VCL Türkiye Birlik, was unable to meet expectations as a young Turkish prospect. Meanwhile, Apeks' core of Auni "AvovA" Chahade, Michał "MOLSI" Łącki, and Tautvydas "hype" Paldavicius, put up lackluster performances throughout the season.

As a last ditch effort to salvage the organization's chances, Apeks picked up Erik "penny" Penny, fresh off a showing at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025 with Team Liquid, and Diogo "OLIZERA" Oliveira. Despite the continued loss streak, both players had their moments this split.

First of many?

Apeks' departure from the VCT partnership system is a reminder that none of the Ascension teams are safe from the risk of relegation, except for G2 Esports, who are almost guaranteed to remain in VCT Americas next year with their qualification to VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions. Gentle Mates could be next on the chopping block, playing for their partnership lives on August 7 against GIANTX.

Yet, the underperformance of Ascension-teams is more prominent in EMEA. Most teams in the other regions are either primed to make Stage 2 playoffs, or are in the top 8 in Championship Points, which allow them to defend their spot in the VCT partnership system in their region's Ascension tournaments.

Stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG to follow along the journey of the Ascension teams in VCT.