Global Esports' Federico "Papi" Evangelista during the VCT Pacific Kickoff match between Global Esports and Talon Esports in South Korea on January 26, 2025. Handout/VCT Pacific
MANILA -- The revamped Global Esports failed to surpass Talon Esports in the upper bracket quarterfinals of the VCT Pacific Kickoff 2025 after a full series going the way of the Flight Club, 2-1
The India-based organization with Filipino players in the new lineup took their first loss for the new season after previously winning the Pinoy battle against Team Secret by a reverse sweep.
READ: Pinoy aimers go head-to-head in Team Secret vs Global Esports 2025 Kickoff match
In GE's pick, Split, Talon initially got the head start by taking the pistol and anti-eco rounds. But it was all they got as GE retaliated by taking the rest of the rounds in the first half.
By the second half, Talon began to claw back by taking the pistol, anti-eco, and a couple of rounds, but GE stopped them in their tracks with the two rounds needed to take their map pick.
Abyss was a back and forth between the two teams, with the first half ending at a tie, 6-6.
The deadlock continued in the second half until the eighteenth round where the Flight Club started to pull away and take the dub with five straight rounds.
In the deciding map Lotus, Talon was in the driver's seat for most of the game, but GE managed to keep the game close to end the first half at 7-5.
Come second half, Talon further distanced themselves despite GE nearly tying up the game with 3 round wins including a 3 versus 1 clutch round by Federico "Papi" Evangelista.
But the 3 rounds was all GE got as Talon stopped the comeback to complete the reverse sweep at 13-8.
Global Esports will continue their run for a VALORANT Masters: Bangkok slot through the lower bracket, first facing off with another revamped team performing well in the offseason, Detonation FocusMe.