Global Esports finalizes 2026 roster with PatMen signing

After weeks of speculation and transfer leaks, the questions surrounding Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza’s future has finally come to an end. Paper Rex officially announced the release of their breakout rookie who helped the team lift the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025 trophy. Soon after, Global Esports confirmed PatMen as the final piece of their VCT Pacific 2026 roster.

Paper Rex Bids Farewell to Their Rising Star

Paper Rex made the announcement on their official X account, explaining that the decision followed an “internal review” involving the players, coaches, and performance staff. The organization described the move as “difficult,” emphasizing that every roster change is made only after careful evaluation of long-term goals and team dynamics.

Since joining in March 2025, PatMen rapidly adapted to the Tier 1 scene, helping secure podium finishes in both VCT Pacific Stages and guiding the squad to the Masters Toronto 2025 title. Performance coach LJ “Panda” Cheng praised his energy, teamwork, and positive impact on and off the server, expressing confidence in PatMen’s future growth. Paper Rex also thanked fans for their patience amid leak-related delays, ending their statement by wishing the young initiator success:

“Stay hungry, PatMen, we wish you only the best for your future endeavors.”

Global Esports Confirms PatMen as Final 2026 Signing

Almost simultaneously, Global Esports announced their finalized 2026 roster, making PatMen the sixth and final addition. The lineup now includes:

• Kale "autumn" Dunne
• Savva "Kr1stal" Fedorov
• Derrick "Deryeon" Yee
• Go "UdoTan" Kyung-won
• Xavier Hebron "xavi8k" JUAN,
• Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza

The new GE roster brings some familiar faces to the Pacific. Autumn (from FunPlus Phoenix) and xavi8k (from NAOS Esports) were signed temporarily to replace Joseph Oh "Ban" Seung-min and Chae "yoman" Young-mun for the SVL - 2025: Southeast Asia Qualifier. The duo managed to impress during the event, earning themselves permanent contracts.

Meanwhile, Kr1stal and UdoTan, who were brought in as part of the 2025 roster, have secured extensions following consistent performances despite an abysmal season for the organization.

While this move has generated excitement among Indian fans, it also raises some questions about GE’s direction for 2026. The team now fields a six-man roster, an uncommon approach in the VCT. Most fans expect Deryeon to remain the substitute, as he occupied that role in the second half of the 2025 season, though FrosT may shake things up depending on scrim results and internal testing.

Building a Stronger but Crowded System

These player announcement follows GE’s recent hiring spree, which saw the organization bring in Thong "balax" Chern Kwi as analyst, Vladimir "vladk0r" Kornev as assistant coach, Platoon as data analyst, alongside signing FrosT as head coach.

However, fans have pointed out a growing concern with this approach. GE now has a total of six staff members, including two analysts and two assistant coaches. For the time being, GE have not made any mention of parting ways with their former coaching staff.

Although FrosT and the team might benefit from the added brainpower, there is also the concern of 'too many cooks spoil the broth', and that GE might end up overcooking their strategies and ultimately lose the plot.

Eyes on VCT Pacific 2026 Kickoff

With offseason events now behind us, Global Esports’ revamped lineup will debut at the VCT Pacific 2026 Kickoff. To learn more about VCT Pacific Kickoff, click HERE. All eyes will be on how PatMen integrates into the system and whether FrosT’s coaching structure can translate to success.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Eric Ananmalay/Riot Games