Mark Daniel Demayo

Pinay VALORANT veteran shirazi wins with Nova Esports in return to 2025 Game Changers Championship

Article (news)

Mark Demayo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176365406896120251120 Nova 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Nova Esports GC at the 2025 VALORANT Game Changers Championship Features Day in Seoul, South Korea. <em>Moon Suwon, Riot Games</em></span></span></span></div><p>A milestone was made for VCT China Game Changers as Nova Esports won their opening match against hometown squad Ninetails in the 2025 VALORANT Game Changers Championship in Seoul, South Korea. </p><p>The China-based squad swept the Pacific second seed before the home crowd at 2-0 in the best-of-three series, breaking the winless streak for the region since it entered the world stage back in 2023.</p><p>It also marks the first win for returning Pinay Game Changers veteran Kelly &quot;shirazi&quot; Jaudian under a team outside of the Asia Pacific region.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/esports/2025/11/20/shirazi-competes-in-3rd-valorant-game-changers-championship-sans-former-xipto-team-smg-core-2354" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shirazi competes in 3rd VALORANT Game Changers Championship sans former Xipto &amp; Team SMG core</a></div><p>In Bind, despite being Ninetails&#x27; map pick, Nova was in control in the first half as they took two rounds as a trade-off when Ninetails took one round. The first half concluded with Nova in the lead at 7-5.</p><p>Nova&#x27;s dominance continued through the second half, as they only allowed Ninetails one round and took away their map pick at 13-6.</p><p>Haven looked like Ninetails was about to turn the tables on Nova as the Korean squad started with a five-round win streak before Nova put a point on the board. The first half concluded with Ninetails in the lead at 4-8.</p><p>By the second half, Nova woke up and went on a seven-round win streak to overtake Ninetails by the 17th round. Ninetails managed to get one more round before Nova sealed their map pick and their first win at 13-9. </p><p>Shirazi led the Chinese squad overall, with a team-leading record in Haven with Viper at 33 kills, 26 deaths, and 19 assists. </p><p>With the win, Nova sends Ninetails down to the lower bracket and will be facing off against the 2022 Game Changers Champions, G2 Gozen, on November 22. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/esports/2025/11/20/valorant-collabs-with-katseye-for-2025-game-changers-championship-anthem-1354" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Valorant collabs with KATSEYE for 2025 Game Changers Championship anthem</a></div>

<p> It marks the first win for returning Pinay Game Changers veteran Kelly "shirazi" Jaudian under a team outside of the Asia Pacific region.</p>

It marks the first win for returning Pinay Game Changers veteran Kelly "shirazi" Jaudian under a team outside of the Asia Pacific region.