Sentinels parts ways with cortezia and Reduxx
Sentinels has officially parted ways with Gabriel "cortezia" Cortez and Yassine "Reduxx" Aboulalazm, granting both players unrestricted free agency. The departures conclude an arduous 2026 campaign marked by frequent lineup shifts and missed international events, initiating an aggressive roster overhaul ahead of the 2027 VCT season.
Cortezia’s Brazilian Return Following a Bittersweet Campaign
Sentinels announced cortezia’s exit with warm praise, commending the Brazilian initiator for bringing heart and defining the team's attitude across a demanding competitive year. Sentinels CEO Rob Moore confirmed both players were notified of their release a week ago, granting cortezia the opportunity to live and compete in Brazil once again.
In a personal farewell video recorded from his Los Angeles apartment before flying home, cortezia clarified that the decision originated entirely from Sentinels. He had openly expressed a desire to stay at least another year and accomplish greater milestones in red.

He voiced deep gratitude to head coach Adam "kaplan" Kaplan, assistant coach Luke "Gunter" Clives, his agent Gabe, and Moore for granting him the opportunity. Despite Sentinels failing to qualify for Masters Santiago, Masters London, or Champions Shanghai, cortezia delivered steady performances throughout the year.
Recent reports already link cortezia to a verbal agreement with Brazilian organization LOUD as part of their 2027 rebuilding project.
Reduxx Concludes a Two-Year Development Arc
For Reduxx, the roster change brings an end to a formative two-year chapter within the Sentinels system. The organization celebrated his progression from Cubert Academy to stepping up on the VCT main stage, describing him as a competitor who embodied what it means to be a Sentinel throughout his tenure.
Reflecting on his departure, Reduxx acknowledged the obstacles the squad navigated across 2026 while taking full accountability for failing to deliver results.
Tracing his journey from Seattle through academy play to the tier-1 stage, he described the two years as an invaluable learning foundation. Reduxx reaffirmed that his competitive ambition remains undeterred, assuring fans that he will return stronger as he begins pursuing his next opportunity.
Rebuilding for the 2027 VCT Americas Era
The release of cortezia and Reduxx signals a complete tactical pivot as Sentinels enters the 2027–2028 VCT Americas partnership cycle.
With spots opening alongside in-game leader Mohamed Amine "Johnqt" Ouarid, Sentinels has moved decisively. The organization has already confirmed some high-profile signings, including former Cloud9 duelist Francis "OXY" Hoang, Champions 2025 MVP Brock "brawk" Somerhalder from NRG, and recently unbanned Ascension champion Alex "canezerra" Banyasz, assembling a re-energized squad for their 2027 campaign.
The lineup is expected to be completed by another former NRG player Georgio "Keiko" Sanassy, who is heavily rumored to join Sentinels for the 2027 campaign. Speculation turned into near-certainty after Moore posted a photo of a celebratory team dinner with the caption "Took the new team out to dinner. Brawk decided to bring a plus 1," showing keiko alongside the rest of the squad.
With keiko poised to take the fifth slot, Sentinels has assembled an imposing roster aiming to re-establish dominance on the international stage.
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: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
I'm Kaustavmani Choudhury, or KC for short, or Zaibatsu, if you want. I'm an esports writer and enthusiast who's been working in the scene for 2 years now. Covering a range of games such as Counter-Strike, VALORANT and Rainbow Six Siege, among others, I believe I bring my own blend of expertise, storytelling, and insights into the world of Esports.
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