Paper Rex continued their lower bracket journey by snuffing out the last hope of China in Masters Shanghai, EDward Gaming.
Paper Rex took down 
EDward Gaming to continue their run in the lower bracket. The last hope of China has been snuffed out as they bowed out of the tournament. The APAC Champion would need to wait for the upper bracket semi-finals to complete to know who their opponents are in the Lower Bracket.
Paper Rex, once a favourite now fighting for their life, was one step away from being eliminated in Masters Shanghai. Their loss against 
G2 Esports must become their wake-up call in the tournament. They need to get a win against fellow regional champions to continue their run in Masters Shanghai.
The last hope of China, EDward Gaming, took a surprising loss against 
Team Heretics. They failed to get revenge for their fallen compatriots in the tournament against the second seed from EMEA. Now, they must play with their lives on the line against Paper Rex to get perhaps another chance to enact their vengeance on the team.
A champion's wounded pride fueled both teams in their first match on Bind. Both teams were humbled by their pick in the upper bracket of Masters Shanghai, and both needed to prove they were the champions for a reason. The first half was a showcase of those needs for both of them. Both can't be separated as they both got a 6-6 perfect half.
Perhaps a loss of focus was the reason for the difference between them, as slowly, Paper Rex picked up their momentum and stopped their opponents. All came down to the final round; EDG failed to force overtime as they lost round 24 to leave the match 13-11.
The second map was a Paper Rex pick, and EDG needed to win the match to get at least another map in Masters Shanghai and a chance to save their run in the tournament. Paper Rex needed a win in their map choice to move forward in the lower bracket.
While every fan wanted another perfect 6-6 between them, Paper Rex has another plan for both the home crowd and EDG. The VCT APAC's champion showed their prowess on Sunset as they suppressed EDG's aggressive play on the first half of the map. They stopped the VCT China's champion to an 8-4 half.
Their map pick and only them to blame if they lost. Paper Rex, however, wouldn't need to blame themselves as they crushed the last hope of China to a complete pulp with a stunning display in the second half. Paper Rex defeated EDG 13-6 on the second map.
Paper Rex will continue their run in the lower bracket of Masters Shanghai, and EDward Gaming bowed out of the tournament. They must redirect their focus to qualify for VALORANT Champions 2024.
