Global Esports have reached a major milestone in their
VALORANT history, qualifying for their first-ever Tier 1 international tournament after defeating
Paper Rex in the
VCT Pacific Stage 1 2026 playoffs. The result sends the Indian organization to
Masters London and also moves them forward in the upper final, where they will continue their run in the upper final.
The storyline carried even more weight because of Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza, who had to overcome his former team to secure the qualification. After taking a big risk by joining Global Esports from Paper Rex ahead of the 2026 season, PatMen found himself on the opposite side of one of the strongest teams in the Pacific. His victory turned the series into one of the most symbolic moments of the season. After setting a record at the beginning of the year, he and his teammates are heading to London, their next destination.
A dominant start for Global Esports
Global Esports qualification did not come out of nowhere. Their Stage 1 campaign has been built on steady progress and a strong run of results, including consecutive wins against Paper Rex, Rex Regum Qeon, and Nongshim RedForce and a first appearance in playoffs of VCT Pacific. That momentum gave the team a stronger position heading into the playoffs and confirmed that their early-season improvement was more than a short-term spike.
Patmen during the game against Paper Rex. Credit: VCT PACIFIC/Riot Games
Behind that rise, head coach Hector "FrosT" Rosario has managed to turn Global Esports into one of the most surprising stories of VCT Pacific Stage 1. After years of inconsistency, the team now looks more structured, more confident, and far more capable of closing high-pressure series. By guiding Global Esports to qualify for the Upper Finals of Pacific Stage 1 and play for the title.
Four other teams have already secured their place at the global event: XLG Esports, EDward Gaming, and Dragon Ranger Gaming in the VCT China, and FULL SENSE in the VCT Pacific.
