Paper Rex (PRX) clinched the final spot in the VCT Pacific Stage 1 Finals Weekend by defeating Kiwoom DRX (KRX) with a score of 2-1 on May 15, 2026.
The win was particularly significant for PRX, which had previously faced elimination from the upper bracket by Global Esports (GE). After regrouping, they managed to push one of the last remaining Korean teams out of the tournament.
Match Highlights
- PRX dominated the first map, Ascent, winning 13-8 with strong performances from Jason 'f0rsakeN' Susanto and Ilia 'something' Petrov.
- KRX fought back on Breeze, taking the second map 13-5 to tie the series.
- In a decisive performance on Split, PRX secured a 13-1 victory, sealing their spot in the finals.
In the post-match reflections, PRX Assistant Coach Ashton 'Wendler' Wendler emphasized the importance of focusing on one round at a time. He reassured the team that regardless of their previous map loss, the pressure was off.
'The big thing was just reminding the guys that there’s no pressure regardless of what the results of that map,' said Wendler.
For Filipino star Adrian Jiggs 'invY' Reyes, this victory paves the way for a much-anticipated return to the Masters stage, following an earlier finals defeat against Nongshim Redforce.
With a chance to join fellow Filipino players Xavier 'xavi8k' Juan and Patrick 'PatMen' Mendoza in London, Invy expressed pride in showcasing Filipino talent on an international platform.
'I think it’s great for the Philippines so they can see that our country is competitive,' he stated.
The VCT Pacific Stage 1 Finals Weekend takes place from May 15-17, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with the top three teams earning spots at the Masters in London.
This tournament marks an essential step for regional teams, as they compete not only for the Masters but also for a chance to represent at the Esports World Cup in July.