Playoff elimination looms for Paper Rex in VCT Pacific 2025 Stage 1

Southeast Asian Valorant powerhouse Paper Rex suffered another scoreless week in the VCT Pacific 2025 Stage 1 group stage as they failed to show their game against Boom Esports last Sunday (April 6).

The team’s tactical gamble—rotating primary smoker Aaron “mindfreak” Leonheart with new recruit Patrick “Patmen” Mendoza—did not pay off. In the face of The Hungry Beast, PRX managed only a single victory on Ascent (13-8), collapsing on Pearl (10-13) and Fracture (9-13) to concede the series.

The loss leaves PRX stranded in fourth place in Group Alpha with a 0-3 record, tied with bottom-placed Detonation FocusMe. To keep their playoff hopes alive, they must not only win their final two matches but also rely on Global Esports—currently fourth with a 1-2 record—to falter in their remaining games.

Has Paper Rex run out of options?

Head coach Alexandre “Alecks” Salle faces an uphill battle to address his team’s failure to adapt to current meta. Without bold adjustments, a turnaround appears improbable.

PRX’s struggles have persisted since early this year. Prior to the PAC Stage 1, the squad finished 5th-6th at the Pacific Kickoff tournament—their worst placement in three years. Their woes continued with back-to-back losses to DRX and Gen.G in the opening weeks of PAC Stage 1 weeks ago.

The surprise recruit Patmen, formerly NAOS Esports, has not addressed the team’s issues. Additionally, star players like Ilya “something” Petrov and Wang “Jinggg” Jing Jie remain locked into starting roles despite being marred with inconsistencies.

As the PAC Stage 1 group phase nearing its end, Paper Rex’s chances of qualifying for Masters Toronto in Canada are rapidly dwindling. Should they fail to capitalize on their remaining matches, the organization risks missing its first international Valorant event in years.