The latest faceoff between DRX and Paper Rex in VCT history came with the biggest stakes yet: a lower bracket elimination match at Valorant Champions 2025. With both teams fighting to stay alive, the series delivered fireworks across Ascent and Lotus before DRX closed out a 2-0 to guarantee a top-three finish and set up a lower final against Fnatic.
It was the 11th clash in the VCT between two Pacific powerhouses, with history, pride, and survival on the line. With the loser heading home, the stakes were higher than ever, and both teams needed to bring their A game to win out the series. Across the three maps slated: Ascent, Lotus, and Corrode; their matchup was tight, with both sides vetoing maps like Sunset and Abyss where the other is strong. In the end, DRX took down PRX 2–0 and punched their ticket to the lower final, matching their best Champions placement yet while sending PRX home just short of their very peak in fourth place.
A Deep Rivalry with the Highest Stakes
This year, PRX entered Champions as one of the Pacific region’s dominant forces. They took the international title at Masters Toronto 2025, defeating Fnatic in the final, affirming their status as not just regional but global contenders. Meanwhile DRX had a more rollercoaster path: lacking a top-2 finish in Pacific Stage 2, they leaned on Championship Points and clutch matches to secure their Champions berth. The matchup in Paris thus felt like a clash of philosophies: PRX’s rampant aggression versus DRX’s slower, methodical discipline.
Through 2025, PRX and DRX met in key qualifiers and regional playoffs. PRX had beaten DRX 10 of their last 13 encounters, often sweeping at international events. Heading into Champions, DRX was chasing redemption, trying to prove they could overturn that head-to-head history in the biggest moment.
Map 1: Ascent – DRX Fight Back from 9-3 Deficit to Win 15–13
The series opened on Ascent, DRX’s pick, but it was Paper Rex who came out swinging. Jinggg, on Sage, bulldozed through the defense with nine kills in the opening four rounds, spearheading a dominant 4-0 start. A spectacular couple of round wins extended PRX’s lead to 7-1, leaving DRX scrambling for answers and forced into both timeouts by round ten. By halftime, Paper Rex were firmly in control with a 9-3 advantage.
Yet DRX refused to bow out. They secured the second-half pistol and began to chip away at the deficit. Slowly but surely, momentum swung in their favor as HYUNMIN exploded into form. His 36 kills and 345 ACS lit the way, including crucial multikills to push the score to a dead-even 10-10. Though PRX steadied themselves to reach map point at 12-10, DRX’s resilience dragged the map to overtime. With HYUNMIN and freeing clutching key rounds, DRX eventually closed the comeback 15-13.
HYUNMIN was the star for DRX on Ascent: he posted 345 ACS, with a 36/19 K/D and a +17 differential. He also contributed 8 first kills, showing dominance in entry battles and clutch trades. PRX were not without their own stars — Jinggg’s 28/19 performance (+9 kill differential) led the team, while d4v41 and PatMen provided critical support in the early half. But PRX’s inability to convert late-round situations allowed DRX to snatch away a map that had seemed lost.
Map 2: Lotus – DRX Close Out Series with 13-8 Win
Lotus, PRX’s pick, became DRX’s canvas for control. Despite PRX winning the pistol, DRX answered back as Jinggg’s early 3-kill helped PRX get to 2–1, and the halftime score levelled at 5–5. But DRX took over in the second half: they secured their third pistol of the day, then dominated PRX’s attack side, denying spike plants and delivering coordinated holds with both free1ng and MaKo popping off with crucial openings and trades. At 11–5, DRX were firmly in control. PRX tried to claw back with two rounds of their own, and Jinggg even won a clutch 1v3 using his Showstopper to delay elimination. But DRX closed it 13–8, locking in the series.
Statistically, HYUNMIN again stood out with 19 frags and an ACS of 246. Across the series, he continued to shape DRX’s momentum on Lotus with multikills and clutch entries, contributing heavily to first kills and site breaks. His consistent impact matched his Ascent form, turning Lotus into a performance. Other DRX players – free1ng, MaKo, BeYN – also held down the line and maintained trade discipline, neutralizing PRX’s attempts to reassert themselves and regain tempo.
What the Series Means for VALORANT Champions 2025
With the 2-0, DRX advance to the Lower Final against Fnatic, guaranteeing at least a third-place finish — matching their best international result. For Paper Rex, the loss ends their Champions run in 4th, marking the end of a rivalry bout.
When trailing early, DRX’s discipline and composure shone, especially with them lagging behind in terms of rounds, as HYUNMIN popping off along with the rest of the team’s consistency ensured they were able to bring things back. The lower final will decide who joins NRG in the grand final. For DRX and Fnatic, it’s a chance at history; for NRG, it’s a test to cement their dominance.
