Paper Rex knocked off EDward Gaming and secured the top seed in Group A.
Two fan-favorites duked it out in the winners matchup but only one survived. Paper Rex advanced to playoffs after a clean 2-0 sweep against EDward Gaming.
Paper Rex started VALORANT Champions 2023 with a strong showing. After a dominating performance against KRÜ Esports, the team was poised to take the first playoffs spot.
Paper Rex did not disappoint as they won every single map they played during the group stage. The matchup against EDward Gaming was one of the group stage highlights. Although the series ended in a clean sweep, Paper Rex and EDG displayed nail-biting clashes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Paper Rex took the first strike and won the pistol round. The Breach stun together with a double satchel from Raze was executed well and EDG struggled to maintain their defenses. Paper Rex quickly took six out of seven rounds and EDG was desperate to claw through the deficit.
EDG managed to recover as they won three more rounds before the side switch. Nonetheless, Paper Rex maintained a comfortable 8-5 lead at the end of the first half. Paper Rex continued to assert their dominance in the second half and EDG had to tap out of Game 1.
The second game was not a walk in the park for Paper Rex. Both teams showed their hunger for victory as they brawled for each round win.
EDG was determined to tie up the series as they ended the first half in their favor. The score advantage continued as the Chinese team won the first two rounds. Paper Rex was able to chalk up their first score on the attacker's side but EDG answered back with two round wins.
EDG was so close to sealing the game but Paper Rex wouldn’t back down. Paper Rex finally broke EDG’s momentum and denied a match point. Thanks to Jason "f0rsakeN" Susanto’s perfectly timed Killjoy lockdown. Other players also stepped up their game to deny EDG of Game 3.
Paper Rex rattled EDG when they slowly tied up the score. The Singaporean team pushed to match point but EDG forced an overtime. Paper Rex officially sealed its comeback after several rounds of OT. EDG accepted their fate as Paper Rex closed out the series.
Paper Rex can now relax as they wait for playoffs to start on August 16th.
