Valorant’s Manila server gains positive reception

MANILA, Philippines — The launch of Valorant's Manila server ushers in a new era for Filipino players as the game coincidentally celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.

Previously, Filipino Valorant fans had to rely on servers in countries like Hong Kong and Singapore, often encountering lags and connectivity issues. Since the server’s rollout last August, however, local players have been experiencing the game in an entirely new light.

"We're really happy to know that the Manila server has been getting really good feedback from Filipino players. Really low ping and very stable. And it's giving them a dedicated server where they can banter with each other in their own language and really lean into their cultural memes and regional jokes. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Jake Sin, head of Valorant Esports for APAC at Riot Games, told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview during the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific Finals.

“We're also seeing a lot of data suggesting that many players are coming back to play because of this new server. In-game metrics are looking really good for the short while that it’s been live. So yeah, really positive signals all around.”

Competition-wise, the Manila server is also expected to be a breeding ground for the next generation of Filipino talent, with potential stars set to follow in the footsteps of Jessie "JessieVash" Cuyco, Jayvee "DubsteP" Paguirigan, Jim "BORKUM" Timbreza, and most recently, Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza, a Masters and VCT Pacific champion.

"I think the success of our sport relies on a strong pool of talent. And a strong pool of talent comes from a big player base. [The arrival of the Manila server] is only going to lead to more Filipino players coming out of that scene," Sin added.

From an operational standpoint, the Manila server also opens doors for more local tournaments that can set the spotlight on Filipino Valorant talent and strengthen grassroots development.

"Having an extra server really helps with tournament organization because now you have this extra option. For example, if you want to host an online tournament in the Philippines, you now have this dedicated server. That gives you really low ping and a stable connection instead of having to rely on another region. This is really great for grassroots tournaments," Sin explained.

When the Manila server was first announced, Filipino professional player Jayvee "DubsteP" Paguirigan thought it was too good to be true.

"I can't believe it pa nga eh. Kasi parang sabi ko, wow, totoo ba 'to? Kala ko nung una, troll lang. May tinatawag kasi na Filipino bait eh, parang ganun. Pero now that it's real, na-amaze ako kasi I didn't see na it would be this far. Parang, alam mo yun, Philippines is out there," admitted Paguirigan.

Previously playing under BREN Esports and Team Secret, Paguirigan was part of the all-Filipino roster that qualified for Valorant Champions Berlin in 2021, a milestone that put both the Philippines and Southeast Asia firmly on the Valorant map.

For him, the server’s launch has massive implications for the future of the local scene.

"It's one of the biggest things that happened in the Philippines right now in terms of having its own server in a game as huge as Valorant. It helps a lot of players kasi Philippines is one of the countries that struggled in [PC] Esports for the past few years. Having our own server means having our own recognition. It helps a lot kasi globally, malalaman na ng mga tao na, ayun, may Manila server. We're on everybody's radar right now," Paguirigan said.

The country, already known for producing esports talent, now has even more room to grow in the FPS scene.

"It's been quite a journey. Nung unang lumabas yung Valorant, it really helped the Philippine scene in terms of FPS games. Hindi ko din na-imagine na it would be this big lalo na sa Pilipinas. And I’m excited to see it grow even more. Kasi, it keeps on growing every year. Now we’re seeing Filipinos take the stage and win. Tuloy tuloy na yan. Nasa dugo natin yung ayaw natin magpatalo," Paguirigan added.

The timing couldn’t be better. The Manila server arrives as the Philippines celebrates its first Filipino Valorant champion, Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza, who recently lifted another trophy with Paper Rex after winning the VCT Pacific Stage 2 title.

Mendoza made history in July as the first Filipino to win an international Valorant tournament when Paper Rex claimed victory at Valorant Masters Toronto. Just last weekend, the team bested Rex Regum Qeon 2-1 to reclaim the VCT Pacific crown and Mendoza’s second championship in only six months with the Southeast Asian team.

Reflecting on how the new Manila server has encouraged more Filipinos to try the game, Mendoza also offered advice to aspiring players.

"Sa lahat ng mga gustong pumasok as esports athlete, una gusto kong sabihin na hindi siya gano'n kadali. Kailangan nyo ng matibay na mentality and mindset. Lagi nyo nang isipin na i-enjoy nyo lagi yung laro. Dahil yun yung rason ng bakit kayo naglaro. And bakit nyo matatagpuan yung mga future teammates nyo," Mendoza shared.

Mendoza and Paper Rex will head to Valorant Champions Paris, the game’s culminating tournament of the year, aiming to become the first Pacific team to win a Champions crown. They will open the tournament on September 12 against China’s XLG Esports at 9 p.m. (Manila time).

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