Global Esports exits VALORANT Champions Shanghai after heartbreaking loss to LOUD

MANILA — Global Esports’ (GE) remarkable international run reached its final chapter on Sunday following a hard-fought loss to former world champions LOUD in the VALORANT Champions Shanghai decider match. 

The defeat ended GE’s hopes of lifting the trophy, though their defiant performance against Americas’ elite solidified the Pacific roster’s dramatic rise on the international stage this season. 

In Split, GE nailed the first half from a neck-and-neck round against LOUD, concluding at 7-5 by halftime. But LOUD aggressively recovered in the second half as they won eight consecutive rounds, ending the map by 13-8. 

LOUD started Sunset with a dominant four consecutive round wins, but a tech pause momentarily stalled them They continued to win five rounds despite GE’s three round win in the first half, concluding at 9-3 by halftime. 

GE recovered in the second half, winning the first two rounds. But LOUD still dominated the last four rounds, concluding the series 13-9. 

Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza was the top frag for GE. PatMen’s Viper and Champer pick made him gain 45 kills, 33 deaths, and 5 assists throughout the series. He was followed by Xavier “xavi8k” Juan, gaining 25 kills, 31 deaths, and 13 assists in his Omen performance. 

GE’s season was defined by adaptation, as an early Pacific Kickoff exit forced the team to reassess its roster and map pool before the regular season. 

By Stage 1, GE showed improvement, displaying stronger mid-round decision-making and greater cohesion, though the team fell short of Masters qualification. 

In Stage 2, GE pushed some of the Pacific’s top teams to the limit and emerged as one of the region’s most improved squads.