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"I think this is the best team I've had so far in Valorant," - Global Esports upset PRX to reach Masters London

For the first time in their VCT history, Global Esports are heading to an international event. The Indian organization clinched their spot at VALORANT Masters London after defeating Paper Rex 2-1 in a thrilling upper bracket semifinal game, capping off an incredible journey.

Lotus Stumble, Pearl Revival

The series was anything but clean. Global Esports dropped Lotus convincingly in what coach Hector "FrosT" Rosario openly called a failure on his part in the post-match press conference.

"I feel very guilty because I feel like Lotus was a disaster, and that's my fault. I've got to get back to the lab and figure out what we can do and how we can get better on that map."

But Global Esports steadied the ship on Breeze before delivering a masterclass on Pearl to close out the series. With frosT away on Riot content duties earlier in the week, analyst Daniel "Platoon" Zhou took full ownership of Pearl preparation. His work paid off in the most poetic way possible, with Global Esports qualifying on that very map.

VCT 2026 - Pacific Stage 1VCT 2026 - Pacific Stage 1 - Upper Bracket Semi Final
Paper Rex
Paper Rex
1
:
2
Best of 3 · May 8 – 8:00AM
Global Esports
Global Esports
Paper RexPaper Rex
5
Player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/–
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
Viper
Viper
1.10
221
45/45/19
0
1.00
63.1%
154.4
39%
70
7
3
1.06
192
40/43/24
-3
0.93
70.4%
118.5
20%
44
7
9
0.99
209
43/40/6
+3
1.08
66.5%
141.5
22%
59
10
7
Omen
Omen
0.89
187
38/42/12
-4
0.90
64.3%
124.3
21%
70
7
3
Sova
Sova
0.85
156
31/41/22
-10
0.76
72.0%
99.5
26%
67
4
2
Global EsportsGlobal Esports
13
Player
Rating
ACS
K/D/A
+/–
K/D
KAST
ADR
HS%
FBSR
FB
FD
Chamber
Chamber
1.20
232
50/38/15
+12
1.32
74.3%
144.8
30%
85
11
2
Neon
Neon
1.01
213
46/40/10
+6
1.15
76.2%
136.0
24%
27
4
11
0.96
214
43/38/9
+5
1.13
77.9%
145.9
24%
50
3
3
Viper
Viper
0.91
198
39/45/14
-6
0.87
61.2%
134.3
33%
24
4
13
Sage
Sage
0.73
156
33/36/13
-3
0.92
63.0%
102.2
30%
25
2
6

Practice against Paper Rex

For a team that had faced Paper Rex four times already this season, which is more than most Pacific sides face them in an entire year, the mental fortitude required to keep showing up was immense. IGL Xavier "xavi8k" Juan credited the team's cohesion as the deciding factor.

"We weren't scared of Paper Rex, who's like the best team in the world. We trusted ourselves and we were all confident. We played as a unit."

That collective belief carried them through a brutal gauntlet. frosT paid compliments to his team for only being a team for a few months but still managing to excel in such a competitive league. The match also carried a personal storyline for Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza, who returned to haunt his former team Paper Rex after joining Global Esports, helping them qualify for his first-ever international event in the process.

The Right Group of Guys

When TheSpike.gg asked frosT whether he finally felt lucky after beating Paper Rex, a team he had previously admitted getting unlucky against, the coach let out an almost disbelieving laugh.

“Hell no. Like what? 0-10 or 1-10 now? No, I think we just have the right group of guys. And I've said, I think this is the best team I've had so far in Valorant.”

That said, he acknowledged that the universe did nudge things along a bit. But, lucky or not, Global Esports are heading to London, and beating Paper Rex has put a crosshair on them heading into their first international.

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: Riot Games

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