📝 xten from Sakura Esports reflects on 2025 and plans for 2026: “There's a high likelihood that you'll see me again”

Correction: In the original article, it was stated: "This loss against NTMR was the final nail in the coffin for Coach Zei, as he committed to benching pdk for the remainder of Stage 3". This was an unfair characterisation of the decision, while pdk did not play for the remainder of the Stage, the internal decision-making was not known by OWTV at the time. xten herself provides the most insight later in the article, where she states: "During this stage, I did not plan on playing at all, but they convinced me to play".

When Sakura Esports announced their roster for Stage 3, it seemed as though the team was ready to transition into a new era. DPS xten had been benched in favor of Carson “pdk” Terry, and it looked as though the underrated hitscan prospect was ready to take a backseat.

However, after a series of mixed performances and mixed availability for pdk, the team made a bold decision: pdk would be back on the bench, and xten would make her return.

And it worked. Against both the DhillDucks and Extinction in Week 3, Sakura looked more energized, more in sync, and overall more cohesive. xten was the X-factor in those performances that week, even earning a Player of the Week award from OWTV.

Then in Week 4, it seemed as though everything was flipped on its head. In the headline match of the week against NTMR, pdk was back in, and xten once again returned to the bench. Sakura was completely outclassed and lost the match in a one-sided 0-3. Afterward, one thing became clear: xten was the key to success.

Similar to their Week 3 performance, xten's return to the starting lineup was a catalyst. While they would finish the stage 4-3 in matches, Sakura looked much better and more consistent. Her return led to them taking a map off of Team Liquid in Week 6, and eventually upset NTMR in the Lower Bracket Quarterfinals.

But all stage long, the community was unaware of the true nature of xten’s position on Sakura Esports.

The official OWCS Rulebook for NA and EMEA (v1.3) Section 5.3, Paragraph 2 states: With the exception of select circumstances as determined by the Administration, during a single Roster Change Period, a Team may change a maximum of Three (3) Players.

When pdk was signed, it was understood that he would be playing full time so xten could focus on her personal commitments. But due to the team having already made three roster moves prior to Stage 3, xten needed to stay on the roster in order for Sakura Esports to remain in OWCS.

Despite the circumstances, xten was eventually convinced to return and play in Stage 3, and was a key playmaker for Sakura Esports in their victories. However, the community rarely got a chance to hear from the hitscan player herself, to truly understand her thoughts on her position on the roster.

OWTV was fortunate enough to speak with xten and get answers to the crucial questions everyone has been asking about her Stage 3 and 2025 season.

Q: How do you feel your Stage 3 run went?

xten: At the start of Stage 3, I was worried when we lost to NTMR. But I knew we could make it to the playoffs. In the end, I'm happy with the progress we made as a team and how far we've gone. There's definitely a lot to learn during that stage.

Q: How does this 4th-place finish fit into your overall 2025 Season?

xten: I'm very happy with 4th place, but I know that my team can reach further than that, so I'm hoping that we'll be able to show that next year, so don't count us out.

Q: It was understood at the start of Stage 3 that pdk was going to take the starting DPS role. However, we saw you return in Week 3 and then fully committed in Week 5. Were you expecting to return, or were you planning on staying on the bench?

xten: During this stage, I did not plan on playing at all, but they convinced me to play, and after seeing how they first did against NTMR, I knew that we could beat them.

Q: Based on currently available information, it is expected that Sakura Esports will return in 2026. However, many of your peers and teammates have mentioned you weren’t expecting to play the rest of 2025 due to other commitments. Given this, will 2025 be your final season in OWCS, or will we see more of you next year?

xten: There are no guarantees, and I won't know for sure if I'll be playing again in 2026. I've been taking a lot of breaks from Overwatch due to burnout, [but] I did have a lot of fun during [Stage 3] though, so there's a high likelihood that you'll see me again.

Q: What is the one thing you would like your fans to know as we close out 2025?

xten: Thank you for supporting Sakura, we'll be coming back stronger next year.