PHILIPPINE VALORANT fans may surely recall the fond memories they had when Jayvee “DubsteP” Paguirigan was still playing with Team Secret. Finishing 5th-8th during the VALORANT Champions 2021 despite their underdog status, will forever be etched in the scene’s history as this became a beacon for Filipino VALORANT hopefuls.
But eventually the times will move on and Team Secret made drastic changes which signify an end of an era.
Among them was DubsteP’s departure from the team. In an interview with VALO2ASIA, the Filipino VALORANT ace revealed some behind the scenes movements, narrating how he exited the squad.
“I got dropped from a Facebook call,”
“Two days from the Philippines, I got a call from someone and then they said, ‘The team decided that we’re dropping you from the team. Right after LCQ," started DubsteP.
Paguirigan didn’t drop any names but he revealed that someone from the organization conducted the call.
“My response was, ‘Ok’ Then they were like, ‘Thank you’ and then they dropped the call. They said, ‘You can start looking for other teams,’ then they dropped,” he reflected.
Until now DubsteP has yet to discover the reasons as to why he was discarded. He even messaged his former teammates to learn more about the situation.
“I messaged every single player except for one and I asked them, ‘Did you really decide?’ I mean they probably wouldn’t tell me but I know these guys. They’re very honest.”
Then it was highlighted that some of the players weren’t even aware of his departure.
“Invy was like, ‘I had no idea. WTF happened?’ The way Invy knew when I posted on Twitter that I was looking for a team.”
DubsteP further elaborated the other conditions of his exile stating: “After they called me, they wanted me to be a restricted free agent then after a week it’s unrestricted.”
Then at the end of the discussions regarding this narrative, the former VALORANT pro emphasized that this is a norm in the esports scene.
“That’s why I didn’t speak of this publicly because I feel like this is esports in general. It happens to a lot of people,” he said.
What is wrong with Team Secret?
Prior to explaining his removal from the team, the Filipino VALORANT player even dug deep into Team Secret’s recent struggles, plagued with inconsistent results.
DubsteP joked about a potential solution…becoming an assistant coach.
“Maybe if they need an assistant coach (laughs).”
“I mean if they need an assistant coach. I know the players, I’ve been with them for a long time,” he continued.
But in all seriousness, DubsteP dissected the team’s issues in terms of their playstyle. Being a former member of Team Secret, he is more aware of the team’s ins-and-outs.
“I think it’s just the way they’re playing. It feels like I’m still playing with the same team as before. It feels like there is no change in playstyle. I feel like it’s the same thing over and over again,” he reflected.
He further elaborated: “I’ve been telling them, the way we play has to change. It kinda feels like we were playing on the fly, we’re playing on what’s comfortable. We’re always going back to what was working. It was never, ‘we should try this, we should explore more.”
“I feel like every Team Secret game is a coin toss. That’s what I felt when we were playing…They never evolve into something that they aren’t. It’s like stepping out of your comfort zone.”
Yet despite his absence from the team, the retired VALORANT pro even showers his support to the team, even going as far as messaging them.
“I don’t want to make this sound this way but ever since I left the team it’s been different. I’ve still been supporting the boys, I’ve been telling them, ‘Hey you’ll get your next win next week man. Keep your chin up.”
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