In a thrilling showdown, Paper Rex emerged victorious in the VCT Pacific Stage 1 grand finals against Gen.G Esports, exacting their revenge after being bested by the South Korean powerhouse in the previous VCT Pacific Kickoff tournament.
This triumph highlights the crucial role of Wang “Jinggg” Jie, who rejoined the team before the tournament, replacing Cahya “Monyet” Nugraha. Jinggg’s return proved pivotal as he showcased exceptional performance throughout the series, vindicating his selection over Monyet, who faced criticism for failing to match his predecessor’s standards.
Throughout the intense Grand Finals series, Paper Rex and Gen.G remained evenly matched. However, it was Jinggg whose stellar performance made the difference between the two teams.
The intense battle between PRX and Gen.G started with both teams tied by the first half. PRX opted for Lotus as the opening map, initially asserting dominance but facing a resilient Gen.G comeback led by Kim “t3xture” Na-ra’s aggressive plays on Raze, ultimately securing a 13-9 victory.
In Game 2, PRX seized control early on Sunset, establishing a significant lead which they maintained despite Gen.G’s efforts, resulting in a 13-9 victory for PRX, evening the score to 1-1.
The third game on Icebox witnessed a fierce back-and-forth battle, with Paper Rex ultimately edging ahead with a 13-11 victory. However, Gen.G mounted a comeback in Game 4 on Split, taking an early lead. In the deciding game, Paper Rex rallied, staging an impressive comeback to secure victory with an 13-10 scoreline, clinching the series.
Throughout the series, Jinggg’s stellar performance, amassing 91 kills, 77 deaths, and 23 assists, earned him the MVP title, besting his teammates Ilya “something” Petrov, who also did well in the final showdown.
As the top seed, PRX secures a direct spot in the VCT Masters Shanghai playoffs and the privilege to select their first opponent in the tournament commencing on May 23.
