Paper Rex take home first VCT Masters trophy with four-set victory over FNATIC in Toronto

By Tristan Forde

Scores of fans, cosplayers and streamers crowded the Enercare Centre for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Masters Toronto grand finals on June 22nd as Paper Rex (PRX) defeated FNatic (FNC) for their first-ever championship. 

Both teams made their exciting return to the grand finals stage after dominant performances throughout the tournament, the VCT circuit’s first trip to Toronto. FNC entered their fourth-ever international grand finals on the heels of a Lower Finals win over Wolves Esports (WOL) on Saturday, while PRX came into their third grand finals of an international tournament with an undefeated record in the tournament, having lost just one set. 

Before the championship match kicked off, a planned Showmatch took place between retired Turkish Counter-Stike: Global Offensive professional player Tarik and Taiwanese-Canadian streamer Disguised Toast.

Both players assembled teams of streamers, professional players, and other loud personalities in the Valorant community for a quick enjoyable round on the game’s newest map, Corrode, which Riot Games announced will be released with Act 4 on June 25th. The showmatch concluded with Toast's team winning 13-7.

After a short intermission and quick tech test for the two grand finals teams, it was time for the main event. 

During the two teams’ main stage walk-outs, fans finally got a chance to see FNC Boaster’s iconic walk-out dance honouring the return of Bangtan Sonyeondan, the K-pop boy group more commonly known as BTS. 

“I’ve already done [the Katseye Gnarly twerk], all I’ll say is BTS,” said FNC Boaster during a post-game press conference. 

The first round took place on the map “Sunset” with PRX on attack, but it was FNC who got off to an amazing start, grabbing momentum as they cruised to a 4-1 lead. But in the fifth round PRX countered FNC's slow defence, efficiently eliminating all except FNC Chronicle, who chose to prioritize his economy by hiding and saving the round. With their second round win, PRX stole control of the match.

PRX went on a momentous six round run, taking hold of an 8-4 lead going into halftime. 

During halftime, Riot Games CEO Dylan Jadeja spoke about returning to his home province and his hometown of Brampton, Ont. 

“It's really special to walk the streets of Toronto and see people wear the Valorant Logo and to be a part of this community,” said Jadeja. 

After halftime and now on offence, FNC put themselves back in the game from the attacking side. With several round wins in a row, they tied the game up at 9-9. 

In a tense sprint to victory in the first set, the two teams went head to head, trading rounds before PRX’s aggressive style proved too much. PRX made a valiant push and secured the first round 10-13, taking hold of a 1-0 lead. 

A close beginning to the match continued into the second set on the map “Icebox”, keeping both teams and the PRX fans in attendance on the edge of their seats. 

Taking a step away from his role as controller, PRX f0rsakeN chose to play as Sova and cover the supporting intel gatherer role, opening up Jinggg to accelerate and step forward as one of the top fraggers on the Singaporean team. They took a 6-5 lead, though FNC showed no signs of giving in on offence.

A series of mistakes from PRX opened the door for FNC to take a 10-7 lead. Callouts from Boaster allowed both Crashies and Kaajak to make way and lead the team in terms of frags. 

With the score at 12-9 and FNC just one round away from securing the set, PRX called a timeout.

Struggling once again with the Operator in his hands, Kaajak whiffed a couple of crucial shots, giving PRX leeway onto sites. They swept FNC, earning them another round. 

They were also aided by FNC sporting an awful team economy so late into the round, forcing most of the team to play safe rounds by purchasing stingers and light shields. PRX used this opportunity to play hyper-aggressively and completely outclass FNC. In the 24th round, PRX grouped together on one site, holding various angles and keeping FNC off site, leading to a win. This forced the game into its first overtime with the score at 12-12.

With the set coming down to the wire, each team bode time and waited for the other to make a move. FNC chose to rotate from B site all the way around to A site, a move that proved vital. Crashies came in clutch at the end just barely picking off PRX something while he was defusing the spike, giving FNC the advantage.

With an early pick on the team IGL Boaster, FNC fell into chaos. PRX cleaned up the scrambled players from around the B Site, tying the game once again and pushing overtime longer.

After PRX took the lead in the next round, FNC managed to win their gunfights and tie the game once again. They took the 29th round, but despite two early kills and aggressive gameplay by Alfajer, , PRX retaliated and tied the game once more at 15-15.

From there, FNC finally put an end to the second round with two straight wins, taking the set 17-15 and tying the match at 1-1.

The third round of the Grand Finals took place on “Pearl”, with FNC attacking to start. The first six rounds were split evenly, then in the seventh round, both Boaster and Chronicle spent their ultimates to get on B site. Locking down the site, FNC won the round to take a 4-3 lead. 

From there, Alfajer stepped into the limelight once again with his eyes on the coveted MVP bracelet. The Turkish national, who had the lone ace in the Lower Final against WOL, sent the crowd into a frenzy. Despite rotating from B all the way to A, he immediately showed up and killed off both f0rsakeN and Jinggg. Swinging onto site with his operator, he caught PatMen off guard as well. Dashing to the back of site as something tried to peak him, Alfajer left him with nothing, securing four kills in a single round. 

Though he was unable to get the final kill for the ace on d4v41, his teammate Chronicle cleaned up for him, earning FNC a 5-3 lead.

“We didn’t know what to do on Pearl to be honest, we just locked the agents and [played],” said Alfajer. 

Although FNC led the game through halftime with a 7-5 lead, the switch to attack proved fruitful for PRX, who dominantly shifted the momentum of the game. Winning seven of the next 10 rounds, they stole the set by a score of 12-10, earning them a 2-1 lead over FNC and a chance to claim the trophy in the fourth round.

This final round was full of tension as PRX aimed to take home their first championship, while FNC aimed to mount a comeback and add to their collection on the map of their choice “Lotus”.

During back-to-back rounds, PRX made quick rotations, winning each of their gunfights and halting FNC from getting into a comfortable spot to make smart decisions. PRX cruised to a 6-3 lead in the set as FNC sought to correct an offence that proved to be far too slow and consistently out-gunned by the PRX defence. 

Despite the high level of energy PRX brought into the game, FNC kept themselves in the running. With a couple of wins in a row, they tied the game 7-7 after half-time, with Alfajer topping the whole leaderboard 18 kills, 10 deaths, and 0 assists. 

FNC’s run would come to an abrupt end at the hands of a C Site push initiated by PRX PatMen.  PRX f0sakeN and d4v41 held down the site, forcing FNC Boaster to retreat and save his economy. 

Fueled by the roars of the crowd and their fans, PRX kept rolling. With four-straight wins they took a 11-7 lead, looking ready to close out the grand finals on a roll. But FNC delayed their glorious victory. 

With FNC playing much faster and much quicker than usual, they managed to catch PRX’s defence on C Site off-guard. 

PRX held enough of a lead to have room to make improvements, but FNC didn’t take their foot off the pedal. They reversed and eventually stole the lead from PRX, 12-11.

But PRX’s had not run out of cards to play. A Fade Ultimate from Jinggg gave f0rsakeN free reign to teleport onto the site and manage to get three kills and secure the site. This forced FNC’s Kaajak and crashies to retreat momentarily. As they tried to retake the site, PatMen caught crashies and f0rsakeN killed Kaajak in a fell swoop, successfully securing an overtime run for PRX.

The first round of overtime kicked off with Kaajak pushing on to C Site but a decisive Vyce Wall from d4v41 blocked his entry off from the rest of his team. PRX d4v41 took first blood of the game by catching Boaster with his back turned, but Kaajak traded the kill. At the same time, PRX f0rsakeN picked off Alfajer. From there, f0rsakeN wrapped around corners the rest of FNC and closed out the round. PRX carried the lead 13-12.

“I feel like I let the team down I just couldn’t get in the game,” said Boaster. “Paper Rex, I’m happy for them, but at the same time I’m just so disappointed in myself.”

Both teams played cautiously and smart as PRX minimized their mistakes and FNC tried their best to force the game to a fifth map. To start the round, PRX waited a few seconds before making a full commitment to A site, while FNC slowly rotated through the backside of the map to catch up. Alfajer picked off PatMen and at the same time Chronicle took out Jinggg. On a roll and aiming for that MVP bracelet Alfajer swings another corner and shoots d4v41. 

Alfajer’s run would end there, however, as f0rsakeN crossed him off his list. This left f0rsakeN and something in a four-vs-two matchup with the rest of FNC’s players. 

The duo made a quiet rotation to an empty B site, then something held the connector between heaven and A site to catch FNC as they rotated and while f0rsakeN planted the spike. 

With roughly 45 seconds to push onto site, FNC took their time to secure all entrances to the site and prepare to trade kills. Boaster found his way from C site to B site, but on the activation of the door, f0rsakeN emerged from his smoke and killed the enemy IGL, adding another accolade to his impressive performance in the match. WIth no time to waste, he then went right back through his smoke and focused his eyes on anyone walking out of heaven. To even up the teams, something took advantage of a free kill, catching FNC crashies distracted by the last known location of f0rsakeN. Kaajak and Chronicle desperately tried to coordinate their pushes, but well-formed teamwork from f0rsakeN and something resulted in a crossfire and both FNC members falling to their doom. 

With a successful comeback and one of the more impressive rounds of the day, PRX secured a 14-12 victory in the set, winning the GrandFinals 3-1 over FNC.

The game ended with FNC Alfajer still sitting at the top of leaderboard across the whole game with a remarkable scoreline of 99 kills, 78 deaths, and 13 assists.

“I heard the MVP title can go to the losing team, where is my MVP? I dropped +30 every game, what is that,” said Alfajer.

Finally putting an end to their runner-up streak, PRX took home their first ever VCT Masters trophy to close out a momentous event in Toronto. PRX f0rsakeN was awarded the MVP Bracelet for Masters Toronto. 

“Finally we can lift the trophy and it's amazing to have all the fan support,” said f0rsakeN with tears running down his eyes. “I want to say thank you to my family, my girlfriend, my friends. Thank you so much everyone!”