Paper Rex wins 2022 VCT APAC Stage 1 Challengers

Singapore's Paper Rex won the 2022 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) APAC Stage 1 Challengers after defeating Thailand's Xerxia, 3-2, in the nerve-racking best-of-five grand finals, March 27 (Sunday).

The grand final match has been a nip-and-tuck battle for both teams. Paper Rex took the lead in the series by dominating Game 1 on the Fracture map with a 13-4 round win. Xerxia then tied the series immediately by besting Game 2 on the Split map by a 13-8 score.

Paper Rex took the commanding lead by securing Game 3 on the Icebox map with a 13-6 tally. Xerxia responded by triumphing Game 4 on the Breeze map, 13-11. In the do-or-die Game 5 on the Haven map, Paper Rex ultimately crushed Xerxia with a 13-8 round victory.

Singapore squad Paper Rex went undefeated throughout the Knockouts (playoffs) stage, sweeping PH's South Built Esports, Xerxia, and Singapore's Bleed Esports.

With their win, Paper Rex bagged USD 30,000 from the hefty USD 150,000 prize pool. Meanwhile, Xerxia Esports took home USD 20,000 in consolation.

Moreover, both earned their slots for the Valorant Champions Tour 2022 - Stage 1 Masters - Reykjavik. The tournament will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland, from April 10 to 24.

Prize Pool Breakdown of 2022 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) APAC Stage 1 Challengers

• 1st place: Paper Rex – USD 30,000
• 2nd place: Xerxia – USD 20,000
• 3rd place: Bleed eSports – USD 12,500
• 4th place: Boom Esports – USD 10,000
• 5th-6th place: Full Sense and Persija Esports – USD 8,750
• 7th-8th place: South Built Esports and Made in Thailand – USD 7,500
• 9th-12th place: Velocity Gaming, Onic Esports, Bonkers, Cerberus Esports – USD 5,000
• 13th-16th place: Oblivion Force, NAOS Esports, Fancy United Esports, No Namers – USD 4,000
• 17th-18th place: Griffin E-Sports and Action PH – USD 2,500
• 19th-20th place: Global Esports and Team Big BAAM – USD 2,000

Watch 2022 VCT Stage 1 - Challengers APAC (Paper Rex vs. Xerxia)

Paper Rex - Valorant roster

• Aaron "mindfreak" Leonhart
• Jason "f0rsakeN" Susanto
• Benedict "Benkai" Tan
• Khalish "d4v41" Rusyaidee
• Wang "Jinggg" Jing Jie

Image via Paper Rex