VCT Pacific League: Paper Rex secured Grand Final spot, T1 halted Gen.G’s run

An eventful day in the VCT Pacific League Playoffs came to a close, leaving only one non-Korean team standing as Paper Rex triumphed over DRX Gaming, sending them to the lower bracket. Meanwhile, Paper Rex have been qualified for prestigious grand finals. Additionally, Gen.G Pacific’s impressive run was halted. Let’s recap the day’s matchups, highlighting notable moments that unfolded during the intense competition.

Paper Rex defeated DRX Gaming

Despite their early elimination from the VCT Pacific League, Team Secret left a lasting impact. One such impact is a demonstration that even DRX Gaming could be defeated. Inspired by their example, Paper Rex achieved a remarkable feat by flawlessly sweeping the formidable Korean titans across all maps. This historic victory marked the first time in the tournament that DRX Gaming experienced defeat without securing a single map win.

The matchups were decided to take place on the following maps: Fracture, Bind, and Pearl.

On Fracture, Paper Rex sticks with their own double duelist composition assisted by a flasher. Meanwhile, DRX Gaming opted for a defensive approach by picking two controllers. Thanks to Khalish “d4v41” Rusyaidee Killjoy’s setups combined with gun skills cost the DRX map of Fracture. The first map was secured by the Paper Rex team by a dominant 13-5 score.

Paper Rex applied relentless pressure on DRX, carrying their momentum onto DRX’s chosen map, Bind. Opting for an aggressive playstyle, Paper Rex left their opponents in a state of confusion. Ilya “something” Petrov showcased his formidable skills on Reyna, making it clear that challenging him came with a hefty price. With a swift and dominant performance, Paper Rex sealed the map with a commanding 13-6 score, solidifying their superiority over DRX.

With this win, Paper Rex have been qualified for the grand finals of the VCT Pacific League. Meanwhile, DRX Gaming will have to overcome the lower bracket grand finals to get a chance to avenge.

T1 halted Gen.G’s run

In the second match of the day, we saw two Korean teams in action. In their previous matchup during the league stage, T1 had defeated Gen.G by 2-1. Instead of fulfilling their revenge, Gen.G got annihilated even worse this time. T1 defeated Gen.G 2-0 comprehend. With this win, T1 got their chance to match against DRX in the lower bracket finals. The winner will join Paper Rex in the grand final on 28 May.

Three maps shortlisted for T1 vs Gen.G were Fracture, Ascent, and Lotus.

Both T1 and Gen.G showcased a fierce appetite for aggressive gameplay. Initially, Gen.G appeared unstoppable, executing flawless strategies in the first half. However, the tides began to shift in the next half. Gen.G struggled defensively, contrasting their earlier dominance in the attack role. T1 crafted an astonishing comeback, culminating in a hard-fought victory with a score of 13-10 on the first map, leaving spectators in awe.

Despite a strong start, Gen.G couldn’t maintain their momentum throughout the first half, which ultimately favored T1. Similar to the previous map, intense battles ensued between the two teams. After numerous back-and-forth rounds, T1 emerged victorious once again, securing a 13-10 score on the second map, Ascent. Son “xeta” Seon-ho from T1 showcased his skills, earning the MVP title with 21 kills. Nevertheless, Lee “K1ng” Seung-won impressed observers despite being on the losing side.

Along with securing a lower bracket final spot. T1 have also become the 3rd Pacific team to be selected for the Masters Tokyo event along with DRX and Paper Rex.

Header: VCT Pacific