The team’s coach will stand in for this event.

VALORANT fans were eagerly waiting for the start of the VALORANT Riot Games: One Pro Invitational 2023 to watch some of their favorite payers in action. One of the most popular players at this event was going to be Jaccob "yay" Whiteaker. However, Bleed esports today announced the 25-year-old star player will not be attending the event.

Yay to miss VALORANT Riot Games: One Pro Invitational 2023

Jaccob "yay" Whiteaker will not be attending the Yokohama-based offline event. In a statement released today, Bleed esports 

It is with regret that we announce our beloved player, Jaccob ‘yay’ Whiteaker, will not be able to participate in the upcoming VALORANT tournament, due to unforeseen health-related issues. 

I’m sorry that I’m unable to attend this event. I know a lot of you were looking forward to me and the feeling is mutual. Japan has always held a place in my heart and it’s my #1 place to go to in the future. I hope you still will give the samelove that you’ve given me to my team at Riot Games ONE. 

Yay on missing out on the One Pro Invitational

Who will replace Yay?

Replacing Yay on the team will be the team’s coach and former professional Counter-Strike player, Nikola ‘LEGIJA’ Ninic. 

The Bleed Esports’ VALORANT roster for the event will be as follows:

  • Derrick "Deryeon" Yee
  • Ngô "crazyguy" Công Anh
  • Nutchaphon "sScary" Matarat 
  • Javier "Egoist" Chua
  • Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić

The VALORANT Riot Games: One Pro Invitational 2023 is a four-team offline LAN event in Yokohoma, Japan. The tournament takes place over two days starting on December 2. Detonation FocusMe, Natus Vincere, and Zera Division will be accompanying Bleed esports at the event. All four teams received direct invites to the tournament.

It will be interesting to see how the teams perform at the event considering Yay's absence. With NAVI showing up recently, the team has the best chance to put up a strong performance at this event. However, Bleed esports', even without Yay is a formidable opponent at the One Pro Invitational. Japan has been one of the regions that has wholeheartedly embraced VALORANT esports. Zeta Division is sure to get the home crowd support, althugh the Japanese fans have been supportive of good gameplay regardlesss of the teams playing. VALORANT fans can catch up with the action live on Twitch.

Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest VALORANT news and updates.