PatMen, Paper Rex eliminate Team Heretics to stay alive in VALORANT Champions Paris

Paper Rex is not done yet.

The VCT Pacific powerhouse kept their championship hopes alive after ousting Team Heretics, 2-1, in the lower bracket of VALORANT Champions Paris, bouncing back from their painful loss to FNATIC just a day earlier.

It was also the second time PRX sent the EMEA squad packing this year, repeating their triumph after a convincing victory at VALORANT Masters Toronto.

Heretics opened the series strong on Ascent, taking an early 8-4 halftime lead behind a five-round streak. But PRX stormed back after the break, grinding out a 13-10 win to strike first blood.

On Bind, PRX initially looked in control with a 7-5 halftime advantage. Yet Heretics flipped the script in the second half, locking down the map 13-9 and forcing a decider.

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average prx voice comms #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/l4w2YUv8nS

— Paper Rex (@pprxteam) September 29, 2025

That winner-take-all clash came on Lotus, where PRX regrouped from a shaky 1-4 start. A timely timeout proved crucial as the Pacific champions completely turned the tables, unleashing a dominant run to close the map 13-4.

It was a fitting redemption after their collapse on the same map versus FNATIC, where they surrendered ten straight rounds to bow out of the upper bracket.

The duo of Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza, the young Filipino rookie, and seasoned star Khalish “d4v41” Rusyaidee powered PRX in the decider. PatMen put up 15 kills and 11 assists, while d4v41 delivered 17 kills and 10 deaths in a stabilizing role.

Their performances ensured PRX’s spot in the final four, joining FNATIC, NRG, and DRX in the Accor Arena finals.

The victory sets up a highly anticipated VCT Pacific El Clasico against South Korean squad DRX, who are on a Cinderella run after a surprise entry into Champions and upset wins over Team Liquid, G2, and MIBR.

With both Pacific contenders set to clash, only one will advance to the championship weekend. The matchup is set for October 3 at around 10 p.m. (Manila time).

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