VCT Masters Santiago: Paper RX Complete Vengeance, Power Through to Grand Finals | Live from Santiago
To all the VALORANT fans burning the midnight oil, our trip to Santiago, Chile, has kept us on the absolute edge of our seats until the very last moment! The first stop of the 2026 VCT Masters circuit just concluded its lower bracket final with a result that has the Pacific region erupting. Our pride and joy, the team that simply doesn't know the meaning of giving up, Paper Rex (PRX), dug deep in a true epic BO5 clash, dismantling North America's last hope NRG 3:1 to carve their path straight into the Grand Finals!
From Heartbreak to Revenge: The Kings of the Pacific are Back
Remember just days ago when NRG sent PRX to the lower bracket, and the doubters were quick to write them off? PRX sent one clear message to the world today—give them a second chance, and they'll take back what's theirs. This wasn't just a ticket to the finals; it was a sweet, sweet dish of revenge served cold.
The opener had my heart pounding. NRG came prepared on their own map pick, Pearl. Fueled by keiko's insane accuracy, they drew first blood with a 13-8 win. Watching NRG ride that momentum, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried PRX might fall into their familiar 'slow start' trap. But our Pacific princes weren't having any of it.
Clutch Time: Heroes All Around
Starting from the second map, Bind, PRX fully unlocked their 'W-gaming' mode. The switch was flipped, and their coordination became seamless. A special shoutout to f0rsakeN. When the team needed him most, he stepped up, not just as a lurking sentinel, but by whipping out the Operator for a stunning four-piece, clinching the final kill on brawk in a moment that's sure to be an all-time VCT highlight.
- Map 2 Bind (13-7): something's Operator comes online, completely shattering NRG's economy.
- Map 3 Lotus (13-6): Jinggg's Jett outplays leave NRG frazzled and on the back foot.
- Map 4 Breeze (13-9): Even after NRG clawed back five straight rounds, coach alecks called a crucial timeout that brought the team back down to earth and shut the door decisively.
Matches like this aren't just about stats; it's about the sheer momentum. Any seasoned player knows, once a team like PRX builds that confidence, their fluid offence becomes virtually unstoppable.
NRG's Heartbreak and PRX's Date with History
Credit where it's due to NRG. As world champions, their map pool limitations (beyond Pearl) were expertly exploited by PRX today. Ethan's shot at becoming the first player with two Champions titles and a Masters trophy just wasn't meant to be. For PRX, after conquering this mammoth challenge, they stand just one step away from etching their names in history as the first team to secure back-to-back VCT Masters titles (Toronto 2025 + Santiago 2026).
The Ultimate Face-off: Versus Nongshim RedForce
A short break, then straight into the Grand Finals. Waiting for PRX are their Pacific league compatriots, Nongshim RedForce (NS), who've been resting in the winners' bracket. It's more than just a regional clash; it's a battle of two contrasting philosophies. NS is a terrifyingly disciplined unit with phenomenal team play—far from a team that relies on brute force. Can PRX sustain their chaotic, high-octane 'W-gaming' all the way? Or will they need to blend it with the adaptive, strategic brilliance they showed against NRG?
I'm betting on PRX's momentum. Fighting their way from the Swiss stage through the lower bracket, they're peaking at the perfect time. And let's not forget, millions of fans worldwide are right behind them, willing them on.
With PRX's victory, the buzz around everything related is hitting fever pitch—whether you're hunting for highlight reels of something's insane plays, searching for specific VCT match VODs, or even checking out that Chief VCTUB XL universal tool-less projector mount that's apparently a hit with streamers for setting up secondary screens to watch the games. That's the magic of esports; winning makes everything sweeter.
The Grand Finals kick off later tonight (March 15 local time). We'll see you there! Win or lose, PRX have already ensured the Pacific region's name is once again etched deeply into the Chilean soil. Bring it home, boys!