The curse of the PRX is finally broken. After years of chasing the dream, Paper Rex has claimed their long-awaited first international trophy at Masters Toronto, defeating FNATIC 3-1 in a grand final that will be remembered for its intensity, emotion, and historic significance.
The Long Road to Glory
For Paper Rex, the journey to this moment was anything but straightforward. Not long ago, doubts swirled about whether this core could ever reach the summit. Their last grand final appearance ended in heartbreak against Evil Geniuses at the 2023 Champions.
Even earlier this year, they nearly missed out on the Stage 1 playoffs after a close call against DetonatioN FocusMe. However, with the addition of PatMen and a renewed sense of belief, the team found its rhythm, building momentum with every match until it stood on the brink of history.
Sunset: The Comeback
The grand final opened on Sunset, a map that seemed to favour Paper Rex on paper. Yet, it was FNATIC who came out swinging, racing to a 4-0 lead and threatening to derail the PRX train before it could even leave the station.
But Paper Rex, undeterred, fired back with eight consecutive rounds, their aggression and coordination overwhelming FNATIC’s defences. The final round was filled with Valorant masterclass plays.
Jinggg, boosted atop d4v41’s Sage wall, snatched two early picks to close out the map 13-11. f0rsakeN led the charge with 22 kills, while Alfajer kept FNATIC in the fight with 23 of his own.
Icebox: Overtime Letdown
If Sunset was a sprint, Icebox was a marathon. Both teams traded blows, with Paper Rex grabbing an early lead before FNATIC’s resilience shone through. Alfajer’s 4K helped FNATIC stabilise, and kaajak’s Operator proved a constant threat to PRX.
FNATIC closed out the map at 12-7, but Paper Rex refused to yield, clawing back five rounds in a row to force overtime. The tension was high as both teams pushed each other to their limits, but ultimately, FNATIC edged out a 17-15 victory, with kaajak ending the map with 32 kills.
Pearl: The Turning Point
Pearl, a map FNATIC typically avoided, became the battleground for one of the series’ defining moments. Forced onto their permaban, FNATIC gambled on a double-Duelist composition, hoping raw firepower could carry them through.
The risk paid off early, as they surged to a 9-5 lead, powered by Alfajer’s explosive Neon play. But Paper Rex’s experience and adaptability came to the fore in the second half.
With relentless set plays and Judge entry kills from Jinggg, PRX stormed back, winning eight of the last nine rounds to take the map 13-10. d4v41 and f0rsakeN each posted 20 kills, leading the charge from the rearguard.
Lotus: The Homerun
Lotus was the last hurdle. Both teams had found success here in the past, and the opening rounds were a testament to their evenly matched skill. PRX held a narrow 7-5 halftime lead, but FNATIC, true to their reputation as comeback kings, fought back to take a 12-11 lead, just one round away from forcing a deciding map.
In the past, Paper Rex might have faltered under the pressure. This time, they stood tall, forcing overtime and closing out the series 14-12 with a dramatic 2v4 clutch from f0rsakeN and something. The arena erupted as Paper Rex realised their destiny as champions at the Masters Toronto.
Player Highlights
- f0rsakeN emerged as the tournament MVP, not just for his 81/75/32 KDA and 223 ACS, but for his leadership and composure as the team’s in-game leader.
- Jinggg was instrumental in closing out key rounds, especially on Sunset, where his creativity and aggression set the tone.
- PatMen, the newest addition, brought stability and fresh energy that helped elevate the roster to new heights.
- d4v41 and something delivered consistent impact, their clutch plays often turning the tide in PRX’s favour.
What This Win Means for PRX
This victory is more than just a trophy for Paper Rex. It’s the first international title for the organisation after years of near misses and heartbreaks. It’s also a historic moment for Southeast Asia, marking the region’s first-ever Masters title and the Pacific’s third. The win brings $350,000 in prize money and 7 VCT championship points, positioning PRX strongly for Champions 2025 qualification.
Voices from the Champions
In the aftermath, emotions ran high. “We’ve been working hard, very hard,” d4v41 shared, his voice thick with relief and pride. Coach alecks reflected on their growth: “We realised that the most important thing for us was to be a lot calmer rather than rushing things.”
For Jinggg, the journey was deeply personal: “I was just a kid who wanted to play games and now I’m a Master’s winner.” The entire squad expressed heartfelt gratitude to their fans, promising to keep striving for even greater heights.
The Legacy Continues
Paper Rex’s triumph at the Masters Toronto is not just the end of a long journey but the beginning of a new era. With the so-called curse broken and the train finally at its destination, PRX stands as a beacon of resilience, teamwork, and belief for the entire VALORANT community.
Andrew "SuZki" Scola is a dedicated Valorant player who has been in the game since the Valorant beta release. He has a peak rank of Immortal 3 and is also a semi-pro esports player. He's also been associated with a few gaming clans and communities, including Highlander Gaming and SoCal Valorant Community. In his free time, he creates content for the Valorant community and writes guides about Valorant based on his experience.
