Talon Esports of Thailand revealed that Patiphan “Patiphan” Chaiwong will miss the forthcoming VCT LOCK//IN competition because he needs wrist surgery.
This is a huge disappointment for Talon Esports, who were hoping to use this tournament to debut their revamped roster, which included the X10 core that advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2021 VALORANT Champions.
The former XERXIA trio, former FW Esports flex Jittana “JitboyS” Nokngam, and former X10 duelist Apiwat “GarnetS” Apiraksukumal will compose Talon Esports’ starting five.
The Thai duelist missed the 2021 VCT Thailand Stage 3 and 2021 VCT SEA Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs due to his wrist injury. Talon Esports will need Patiphan back soon for the key VCT Pacific competition in late March after VCT LOCK//IN.
“Due to the required surgery on his wrist, we, along with Patiphan, his parents and his doctor, have collectively decided that staying in Thailand for rehabilitation will be the best course of action.” read the Press Release. “Health has and will always remain our number one priority, as we want all our players to develop long successful playing careers.”
Patiphan quit professional VALORANT in 2022 to play for the Los Angeles Gladiators in the Overwatch League. VCT LOCK//IN would have been his return as for the second time in his young career, he has suffered a wrist injury.
Patiphan had been playing with an injured wrist for months and had to take a break during VCT Stage Three in 2021. He recovered in time for VALORANT Champions 2021. When Talon anticipates Patiphan will be ready to compete again is unknown.
In the season’s first single-elimination competition, Talon could be eliminated if they lose their first match without Patiphan in Brazil.
EDward Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix ZHUQUE are two of the Chinese teams that will be participating in VCT LOCK/IN, which will take place from February 13 to March 4 and feature 30 partnered VALORANT teams from the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific.
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