The Masters Toronto Winners return to VCT for their 2026 start with a win over Global Esports, which came as more of a struggle than fans expected from an organisation that has never made an international appearance. This is also the first series where PatMen faced off against his former team.
Map 1 came as Breeze, a map that Paper Rex are historically strong at with the double Duelist capabilities on this map seemingly endless. However, Paper Rex opted for the old school Yoru/ Jett combination alongsdie Viper, Sova and brimstone. However, it was Jinggg who played Jett where normally it is something on Jett duties. The first half ended 7-5 in Paper Rex’s favour with Jinggg having a few standout rounds on the debut Jett. They then closed out the map 13-10 after going up 10-5 and slightly allowing Global Esports back into the series with their Veto Omen composition.
Map 2 went to Split with Paper Rex losing the first half 7-5 to Global Esports and UdoTan’s Veto becoming a huge problem for Jinggg in particular where he managed to negate 2 of his Raze Rockets as it is such a wayward agent pick, not much practice would have gone against a Veto in scrims. However, it was ultimately Autumn on the solo Duelist Yoru who took the map to its end where Global Esports took 5 rounds in a row on their defense side where their new pickup from FPX, had a 8-2 scoreline on just the final 5 rounds.
The final map was Bind, where Paper Rex went back to their comfort roles, that were instrumental in their Masters win at Toronto last year. However, Global Esports threw a spanner in the works on this map with PatMen, who became known for his initiator role last year, picked up the Waylay alongside the Veto on UdoTan and the Autumn Yoru.
Paper Rex took the first half 7-5 and it looked like f0rsaken was very comfortable on their defense side controlling his pat of the map whilst also allowing quick rotates with his stim beacon. Paper Rex then came out the second half winning the first three rounds taking it to 10-5 making it an almost done series. However, GE answered back winning 4 rounds back to back and nearly tieing the series up 10-9. Paper Rex, given their experience, didn’t let this affect their mentals and followed through to the end of the series ending it 13-10 and confirming their first win of the year and their first VCT Pacific series with Invy in their roster.
Despite PatMen’s efforts after dropping 59 frags, it just wasn’t enough to push them over the finish line. However, the positives from this series is that GE look nothing like before, and if they can play up to this level every week, they can be real contenders for upsets across VCT Pacific.
Paper Rex will now look forward to the 31st of January where they will face off against the winner of Rex Regum Qeon vs DetonatioN FocusMe. Global Esports will look ahead to January 29th where they will face off against the newly re-vamped ZETA Division roster in the middle bracket.
Valorant Digest 
Leave a comment