VALORANT cosplayers pose for photos along Riot Games' booth depicting the map Lotus during CONQuest 2023 held at the SMX Convention Center. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File.

MANILA - Riot Games assured it has plans for the country's grassroots Valorant scene in the coming months, after streamlining its semi-professional league into one Asia-Pacific covered tournament.  

For Riot Games PH's brand manager for VALORANT Jason Roberto, the new setup -- which combines seven regions into one Southeast Asia Valorant Challengers League (VCL SEA) -- will promote competitiveness among players.  

Valorant Challengers is the prelude to an "Ascension" tournament which determines which team gets promoted to Valorant's professional, franchise league VCT Pacific. 

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So far, there is only one team (Team Secret) playing in the professional tournament, while NAOS Esports crumbled in Ascension, held in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

"We believe that the new VCT Challengers SEA setup helps in boosting our local grassroots scene by providing players with a clear path-to-pro, increased cross-regional competition and exposure, all while fostering a more vibrant and engaged community," Roberto said. 

"Pinoy fans can stay tuned for upcoming league announcements from the region," he added.

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The third split of the semi-professional Valorant Challengers League (VCL) will now merge teams from Indonesia, Malaysia-Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan-Hongkong, to create VCL Southeast Asia. This means direct qualifiers or having Valorant Challengers - for every country or region mentioned ahead of VCT Ascension will be scrapped, of which includes the four-year-old VCL Philippines.  

Moving forward, Riot Games' Philippines office will try to actively involve themselves with the grassroots scene and help empower players and teams, such as dabbling into the collegiate scene.

"We are always investing in the grassroots scene for VALORANT in the Philippines. One track we're focusing on next year is in the collegiate scene. With VALORANT's inclusion in the UAAP esports program, we are on the lookout for new ways to support and empower both players and orgs to forge future talents seeking to take the next step in their VCT journey," Roberto shared.

"Riot Games Philippines aims to elevate the competitive gaming scene in the country by creating opportunities for Filipino VALORANT players to showcase and hone their talent," Roberto said.