PatMen, Paper Rex eye VCT Paris lower-bracket finals spot against DRX

In the lower bracket of Valorant Champions Paris 2025, all eyes turn to a familiar Pacific showdown as Paper Rex Express and DRX collide once more. 

The two squads have defined the region’s storylines for years, clashing in high-stakes matches where PRX’s relentless, fast-paced style often collides with DRX’s methodical approach. Their history is packed with classics, and with a spot in the tournament on the line, their next chapter promises just as much intensity.

Paper Rex comes into the matchup as the favorite, carrying momentum from their recent lower-bracket victories. The Singapore-based squad has long been known for its fearless, high-octane style of play, often overwhelming opponents with relentless aggression.

The team’s star power remains its biggest weapon. Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto and Ilya “something” Petrov have consistently delivered on the international stage, while veteran Wang “Jinggg” Jing Jie and in-game leader Aaron “mindfreak” Leonhart add stability. 

History is also on their side. PRX has dominated DRX in recent years, winning 10 of their last 13 international encounters. That track record adds another layer of pressure on the Korean squad as they look to reverse the trend.

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The Paper Rex Express charges into the Upper Bracket of the #VALORANTChampions Playoffs 🚂 pic.twitter.com/Ub7KiGrGE9

— VCT Pacific (@vctpacific) September 25, 2025

For DRX, the international breakthrough has remained elusive. Despite multiple top-six finishes and even a top-three run, a championship has slipped through their grasp. Compounding matters, four of the five players on their current roster were absent from much of those past campaigns. Their 2025 rebuild, however, has breathed new life into the squad. With an expanded agent pool and the rising performances of Flashback and HYUNMIN, balanced by MaKo’s veteran steadiness, DRX have shown promising growth throughout the season.

And while PRX may dominate the head-to-head record, DRX has found ways to fight back. Their triumph at VCT Pacific Stage 2 in 2024 and victory at the Hero Esports ACL 2025 Grand Final prove the Koreans can rise to the moment. Yet when the lights shine brightest in high-pressure elimination games, it’s PRX who has time and again discovered the winning formula.

A big part of that consistency this year has been the steady presence of Patmen (Patrick Mendoza). While not the flashiest name on PRX’s star-studded roster, his versatility and clutch performances have repeatedly given the team an extra edge. 

Patmen has stepped into key roles that balance out the aggression of forsaken and Jinggg, providing stability when PRX needs to reset and discipline when games get chaotic. His impact may not always dominate the scoreboard, but his reliability has been crucial in keeping PRX’s structure intact, especially in tense late-round situations.

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