The esports arena in Toronto erupted that night. The world’s top VALORANT teams gathered under one roof, with all eyes fixed on the final showdown between Pacific powerhouse Paper Rex and EMEA titan FNATIC. The result was both unexpected and deeply emotional—Paper Rex defeated their rivals 3-1, finally claiming their long-awaited first VCT championship trophy after years of heartbreaking near misses.
At the moment of victory, the PRX players embraced tightly, like old friends reunited after a long journey. They were no longer the so-called “finals runners-up,” no longer the ones haunted by lost crucial rounds—they were true champions at last.
The turning point of the series came during overtime on the fourth map, Lotus. The score was 13-12, PRX in the lead but the tension unbearable. Both f0rsakeN and something were down early, leaving the team in a dire 2v4 situation. Yet somehow, under immense pressure, the two remaining players clutched it—taking down all four opponents and sealing the round. The moment felt straight out of a movie climax, sending both the live crowd and online viewers into a frenzy.
This victory was more than just a match—it was the finish line of a marathon.
PRX had come close to the title many times before but always fell just short: Copenhagen 2022, Tokyo 2023, and earlier in Berlin—each time reaching the finals but failing to lift the trophy. It’s like working tirelessly on a project only to have it rejected at the final stage. Fans like Liam from New York, who had watched every PRX match despite countless heartbreaks, never lost faith: “One day, they’ll reclaim the glory that’s rightfully theirs.”
And that day finally arrived.
The Lotus map became PRX’s stage for domination and composure. Stats show f0rsakeN, wielding Omen, scored 23 kills with an ACS of 239; something, using Yoru, added 22 kills. Though FNATIC’s Alphaer achieved a match-high 29 kills, it wasn’t enough to overcome PRX’s impeccable teamwork.
It’s worth noting that FNATIC’s resilience was equally admirable. Despite losing early in the quarterfinals to Gen.G, they clawed their way back through the lower bracket, defeating RRQ, Sentinels, G2 Esports, and Wolves Esports to reach the grand final. But facing a red-hot PRX, their miracle run ended there.
A Reddit comment after the match summed up the sentiment perfectly: “I actually cried. As a PRX fan, this is the happiest day of my life.” Many saw poetic justice in how fate played out—previously, PRX had lost a heartbreaking 2v4 on Lotus, only to win the championship this time with an identical scenario reversed.
Beyond the prize money, this victory carries immense significance. PRX earned $350,000 and 7 circuit points, securing a strong position heading into the World Championship later this year. FNATIC took home $200,000 and 5 points, still within striking distance for qualification.
Even more remarkable, this marks the fourth consecutive international title for the Pacific region: from Gen.G’s triumph in Shanghai, EDward Gaming’s breakout at Champions, T1’s dominance in Bangkok, to now Paper Rex in Toronto—the Pacific teams have truly cemented their place on the global stage.
It’s hard not to think back to 2021, when Pacific teams struggled just to qualify for Worlds. Now, they dominate the entire VCT season. As Liam, a café owner from San Francisco, put it: “Watching PRX win feels like seeing your favorite indie band suddenly win a Grammy—it’s unreal.”
With the Toronto Masters concluded, all teams will return to their regions to prepare for Stage 2. The final showdown—the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 Grand Finals—will take place on September 12 in Paris.
For PRX, this might mark the beginning of a new journey. But for all their fans, this moment alone is already perfect.
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