Continuity amid upheaval: 100 Thieves re-sign Asuna & Cryocells for 2026

100 Thieves announced today that the organisation has re-signed both Peter “Asuna” Mazuryk and Matthew “Cryocells” Panganiban for their VALORANT roster heading into the 2026 season. The move comes amid a roster rebuild for the organization, marking those two as the foundational pieces around which the rest of the team will be rebuilt. For Asuna, this will mark his sixth season with 100 Thieves after joining in late 2020 and becoming one of the organization’s longest-running players, playing a variety of initiator roles aside from being a duelist main.

Cryocells, meanwhile, joined in late 2022 ahead of the first partnership era and has served in dual roles: primarily as Duelist alongside Asuna, and occasionally as a Controller/Sentinel. He dominated on Chamber with XSET before joining 100T.

By securing their return early in the offseason, 100 Thieves signaled that while a major restructuring is underway, there remains a desire for continuity in core leadership and experience. In their statement, the organization noted that Asuna and Cryocells’ extensions were “the first two pieces” of the rebuilding plan.

2025: A Season of Promise, But Not Fulfilment

The 2025 campaign for 100 Thieves was marked by flashes of high potential, yet ultimately fell short of the organization’s ambitions. In their own season review, 100T admitted that despite “incredible individual performances,” they had failed to translate them into consistent championship-level results. The team entered the year with expectations propelled by their 2024 Stage 1 title and a fourth-place finish at Masters Shanghai, but a rough start — including an early exit from Kickoff and the inability to qualify for Masters Toronto — set the tone for a difficult year.

At Americas Stage 2 this year, they succeeded in reaching the Playoffs, but suffered a 0-2 loss to G2 Esports in the Upper Round followed by elimination in the Lower Bracket. The organization could not secure a spot at Champions, which 100T themselves identified as non-negotiable for their program. As a result, the team has announced a full evaluation of their roster, strategic approach, and support structure heading into 2026.

Amidst Departures, 100 Thieves Enter Rebuild Mode

Alongside the re-signings, 100 Thieves’ VALORANT division confirmed that several contracts had expired and multiple players and coaches were entering free agency. According to reporting, seven contracts in total — covering both players and coaching staff — ended in 2025.

Alexander “Zander” Dituri joined the roster ahead of 2025 after previous stints with SoaR Gaming, Version1 and M80. During his time with 100T, he stepped into the IGL role mid-season following the benching of Boostio, though the team failed to establish stability or qualify for global events.  The newest member of the squad, Kelden “Kess” Lee arrived in 2025 from the Challengers scene and played both Sentinel and Controller roles, yet was among the players whose contracts are set to expire as part of 100T’s broader restructuring.

Drew “Boostio” Pupello had been the in-game leader prior to mid-season changes, but was benched and now is a free agent. His 2023 Champions victory with Evil Geniuses remains a highlight of his career, although his time at 100T did not yield the expected return to that level.

On the coaching side, Anthony “Zikz” Gray, who joined 100T after coaching Champions-winning rosters, and assistant coach Yura “frenya” Elkin are both now listed as free to explore new opportunities. Their departures form part of the organization’s acknowledgement that not only player performance but also leadership must evolve.

Asuna’s long tenure makes him both a symbol of consistency and a potentially stabilizing figure for incoming teammates. Cryocells brings flexibility and youth, yet now anchored within the organization. The departure of key figures like Zander, Boostio, and Kess suggests that 100T is prepared to move beyond the near-miss era and chase a step up in performance. The exits of coaching staff also imply that fresh leadership could be on the way, pointing to perhaps both tactical and culture change.

The organization publicly acknowledged that it was entering a “full rebuild” mode after a 2025 season where they failed to meet expectations, falling short of global tournament qualifications and making only modest regional progress.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Hope and Pressure Alike

For 100 Thieves, the 2026 season stands as a pivotal moment. With only two players locked in and much of the support structure open for reinvention, the organisation faces one of its most significant transformation windows to date. The community will watch closely to see whom 100T brings in to join Asuna and Cryocells, how they fill the gaps left by the departing players, and whether the next roster can convert the organisation’s potential into consistent results.

Heading into 2026, the pressure on 100 Thieves will be high. The organization’s own message described the off-season as a time for “meaningful change” and emphasized that being “very close” is no longer sufficient. With only two players locked in and several vital roles now open, the off-season acquisitions (both players and coaches) will define whether 100T can convert promise into performance.

pic.twitter.com/EbQsHa8GJ0

— 100 Thieves VALORANT (@100T_VAL) November 5, 2025

100 Thieves’ decision to retain Asuna and Cryocells offers a clear indication they intend to build around core experience and two of the longest serving players on the organization. At the same time, the departure of multiple roster and coaching components reveals the scale of the change ahead. Fans of 100 Thieves will be hoping that the organization’s impatience with past stagnation leads to meaningful progression, rather than repeating cycles of waiting.

The off-season is now wide open: Asuna and Cryocells are set to lead what could become a new iteration of 100T VALORANT, one designed for trophy runs hopefully. The question is whether this combination of continuity and overhaul will finally deliver on the promise the organization has long pursued: an international qualification and trophy.