“I’m not gonna be intimidated”: BBL Lar0k on his international debut at VALORANT Masters Santiago

Yusuf ‘Lar0k’ Kanber is one among numerous rookies set to compete at VALORANT Masters Santiago, the primary international VCT occasion of the 12 months.

Lar0k and the remainder of the BBL Esports rookie roster delivered a flawless run at VCT EMEA Kickoff 2026 qualify for its first-ever worldwide competitors because the area’s first seed.

“My self-confidence comes from my very own gameplay,” the Turkish participant instructed Esports Insider in the course of the pre-event press convention.

“I feel I’m enjoying very well, and this isn’t coming from a spot of ego. I can say that I’m a very good participant and I actually belief myself. So the regional efficiency that you simply noticed is gonna proceed on this stage, as effectively.”

Lar0k started his VALORANT esports journey in 2022, competing in numerous Turkish tier-two tournaments. 

Two years later, the 18-year-old joined PCIFIC Esports to play within the Turkish Challenger circuit. He finally lifted the VCT EMEA 2025 Ascension trophy as a part of BBL PCIFIC, the Affiliate Partnership group of PCIFIC Esports and VCT accomplice organisation BBL Esports.

All the roster was later signed by BBL to compete underneath its banner.

For its very first 12 months in VCT EMEA, the complete PCIFIC roster stayed collectively regardless of presents from different accomplice groups within the league. 

This loyalty clearly paid off, because the freshly ascended roster went on a tear at VCT Kickoff. Bringing plain confidence and excessive power to the VCT EMEA stage, BBL Esports took down regional giants Fnatic and Group Vitality, in addition to rival darkish horse Mild Mates, on its path to VALORANT Masters Santiago.

When requested whether or not heading into his first-ever international occasion might have an effect on his confidence, Lar0k replied:

“I’m not gonna be intimidated. I’m gonna present the identical efficiency that I confirmed in regionals right here on this worldwide match.”

Lar0k additionally defined why he believes in his group so strongly: ”I do know that we look like 5 rookies, however we’re probably not like 5 rookies. As a result of we proved ourselves on our journey right here. We beat everybody, which is why we’re right here.”

The duelist participant continued: “And now that we’re right here, we’re nonetheless tremendous good, we’re nonetheless assured, and we’re gonna beat everybody. So our confidence is tremendous excessive.” 

BBL Esports’ in-game chief (IGL), Eren ‘Rosé’ Erzan, agreed along with his teammate’s sentiment.

“It doesn’t matter for us, like being a rookie for the match, to be sincere. As a result of we all know our potential, our firepower within the sport,” emphasised Rosé in the course of the press convention.

“And we’re simply believing in one another. We all know easy methods to be a household […] like within the sport and outdoors of VALORANT additionally. It’s not gonna change something about our sport model and confidence within the sport, like what the neighborhood persons are enthusiastic about us. I simply consider in my teammates, like my brothers, like everyone on the group.”

BBL Esports is by far not the one rookie group at VALORANT Masters Santiago. The primary international VCT occasion of 2026 stands out as a set of darkish horses, underdogs and inexperienced rosters clashing with a number of the greatest names within the scene.

This contains one other sudden first seed, FURIA, which gained VCT Americas Kickoff regardless of shedding 12 out of its 13 matches final 12 months. For its participant GianFranco ‘koalanoob’ Potestio, Masters Santiago will probably be his first shot at a world trophy.

“It means so much. Like, I really like this group,” koalanoob shared. “We’re simply gonna hold this underdog mentality that we’ve had. However I’ve full belief in my total group, particularly artzin as my IGL. I really feel like if I belief no matter he says, we’ll simply be high quality.”

koalanoob added: ”We’re simply gonna hold working exhausting, and it’s superior that individuals felt one thing from seeing my feelings. I wanna inspire folks to make them consider that they will attain no matter they dream of.”

VCT China’s first seed, All Avid gamers, shares an identical story, having by no means certified for a VCT international competitors earlier than Masters Santiago. Because the longest-standing member of the energetic All Avid gamers line-up, Huang ‘K1ra’ Zhihao persevered via the group’s struggles final 12 months earlier than discovering redemption on the latest VCT Kickoff occasion.  

“After I look again to that sort of time, I feel it’s positively kinda horrible for me, however in that case, I’ll simply have the next commonplace for myself. And I simply ask myself to attempt my greatest, to attempt more durable and to do higher on the stage,” revealed the IGL.

“For Santiago, I feel the principle aim is don’t be afraid and showcase our potential, showcase what we will do within the international occasions and completely be taught from different groups, be taught from different areas,” concluded K1ra.

Masters Santiago will happen from February twenty eighth till March fifteenth. Followers can comply with the motion by way of the VCT’s official Twitch and YouTube broadcasts.