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

Yusuf ‘Lar0k’ Kanber is one in all 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 advised Esports Insider through the pre-event press convention.

“I feel I’m taking part in very well, and this isn’t coming from a spot of ego. I can say that I’m a superb participant and I actually belief myself. So the regional efficiency that you just noticed is gonna proceed on this stage, as properly.”

Lar0k started his VALORANT esports journey in 2022, competing in varied 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 staff of PCIFIC Esports and VCT companion organisation BBL Esports.

Your complete 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 gives from different companion 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 Crew 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 may 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 event.”

Lar0k additionally defined why he believes in his staff 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 event, to be sincere. As a result of we all know our potential, our firepower within the sport,” emphasised Rosé through the press convention.

“And we’re simply believing in one another. We all know the way to be a household […] like within the sport and out of doors 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 imagine in my teammates, like my brothers, like everyone on the staff.”

BBL Esports is by far not the one rookie staff 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 among the greatest names within the scene.

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

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

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

VCT China’s first seed, All Players, 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 Players line-up, Huang ‘K1ra’ Zhihao persevered via the staff’s struggles final 12 months earlier than discovering redemption on the latest VCT Kickoff occasion.  

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

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

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