Nongshim RedForce continues undefeated to Masters Santiago Grand Final; PRX and NRG meet for the second berth

The first day of VCT Masters Santiago’s finals weekend delivered exactly what the bracket promised: one dominant performance and one back-and-forth thriller. Nongshim RedForce completed their run to the Grand Final with a composed 2-0 over NRG, while Paper Rex outlasted G2 in a three-map elimination match to force a third meeting with the reigning world champions. The last berth in Sunday’s Grand Final is still up for grabs, but Nongshim are already imminently waiting. As Francis put it: “We’re not here for tourism; we’re here to win the whole thing.”

Nongshim RedForce take down NRG 2-0

Bind: 13-8

Nongshim opened on Bind, a map they dominated throughout their Pacific Kickoff first-seed run, and NRG had reason to be wary of it. The Americans had lost it at Americas Kickoff and won it only narrowly against PRX in the upper semifinal. Starting on defense, Nongshim took the pistol and converted the early momentum into a 7-5 first half, with Rb and Francis both stepping up to steady what could have been a nervy start. From there, Nongshim used the stall potential baked into their composition with the Brim to guarantee round after round on attack, closing the map out 13-8.

Francis was the standout with 24 frags, seven first kills, and a +12 kill differential on the map alone.

Abyss: 13-11

Map two saw Nongshim make a smart tactical adjustment. Ivy was shifted onto Cypher, freed up to operate in the middle of the map and find consistent lurk damage while Francis continued to run amok in the duelist role along with Dambi, getting to a 12-7 lead. NRG kept it competitive and came close to a comeback, but Nongshim’s structure held firm. They closed out Abyss 13-11, booking their spot in Sunday’s Grand Final and showcasing one of the most remarkable runs the VCT circuit has seen in recent memory.

The series MVP was Francis with 44 kills, an ACS of 272, and a +17 kill differential across the two maps. He and Dambi have formed one of the most potent entry combinations at this tournament: Dambi opening space with Neon’s aggressive movement and speed, and Francis capitalising with ruthless efficiency. Ivy, Rb, and Xross have been the clean-up crew, ready to build on every inch of ground those two create and play for the objectives.

The Story Behind the Run

For Nongshim, this Grand Final appearance is the culmination of a journey that started long before most of this roster had ever played on an international stage. Their core came up through Premier, were picked up by Sin Prisa, and won Ascension in 2024 but then had to prove themselves again, winning Ascension in 2025 before finally earning their seat in Pacific’s partnership league. The next year came with immediate results: a Pacific Kickoff title as the first seed, and now a flawless march through Masters Santiago without dropping a single series.

One player on this roster knows better than most what it means to finally get here. Rb, Nongshim’s veteran IGL, last played on the international stage at Champions Istanbul 2022, where he led DRX to a third-place finish. That was nearly four years ago. Since returning to the top level with Nongshim, his calling has been the backbone of everything this team does — structured, adaptive, and precise without ever being rigid. Sunday will be his first Grand Final.

The contrast couldn’t be sharper: from a bronze medal in Istanbul to a Masters event as the team’s IGL. For Rb, and for this team, it means everything.

Paper Rex 2-1 G2 Esports

Haven: 13-11 (G2 win)

The elimination match had no shortage of drama. PRX came in having already beaten G2 in the Swiss Stage, but G2 made clear early they weren’t going to fold quietly. On Haven, a map where PRX entered with a 4-1 record and G2 were undefeated at 4-0 this year, it was G2 who found the edge. Even a stunning 1v3 clutch from PRX’s forsaken in the closing moments of the first half couldn’t prevent G2 from mounting enough of a lead to see it through. G2 won 13-11, jawgemo finishing with 265 ACS and 24 frags leading the way.

Breeze: 13-9 (PRX win)

G2’s own map pick swung sharply in the opposite direction. PRX stormed out to a 5-0 start, extended it to an 8-4 lead on defense, and looked like they were going to run away with it, surging to 12-4 on attack before G2 won five straight rounds to bring the scoreline back to 12-9. But PRX steadied and closed it out 13-9, forcing a decider.

Corrode: 13-5 (PRX win)

On the map three decider, PRX ran something as a sole duelist alongside two controllers and d4v41 on Vyse — a composition built for control and information. G2 mirrored the idea with a single Astra but paired it with a Neon and Yoru duelist combo. It didn’t matter. PRX went on a 6-0 run out of the gate, turned it into a 10-2 half, and though G2 fought back after the break, PRX closed the map 13-5 to send G2 home in fourth place.

When Something and Jinggg are both operating at their peak, PRX are as dangerous as any team left in this event. Invy has been quietly excellent throughout, consistent on the scoreboard and disciplined with utility, while f0rsakeN and d4v41 have shown they can go off whenever the moment demands it.

After the game, G2’s coach JoshRT and IGL Valyn both spoke about the pressure of playing against PRX and how their constant iterations and improvements make them “G2’s Kryptonite.” The constant struggle against PRX’s dominant defense on both map 2 and 3 was another factor the team acknowledged as they yet again fall short of a trophy.

What’s Next at VCT Masters Santiago

Only three teams remain.

Check out the updated #VALORANTMasters Santiago Playoffs Bracket! pic.twitter.com/1J1NZ0YI6Y

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) March 13, 2026

G2’s run at Masters Santiago ends here with a top-four finish, but one that falls just short of the podium and of the international title that has eluded them despite a Grand Final appearance at Masters Bangkok last year.

That leaves three teams. Nongshim RedForce are in the Grand Final and waiting. PRX and NRG, who stand at 1-1 against each other this event, will meet in Saturday’s Lower Final: a best-of-five with the last Grand Final berth on the line. It will be the third time these two teams have faced off at Masters Santiago, and the stakes could not be higher. “I hope we have learned from our mistakes from the first and second time we played NRG,” said coach Alecks.

For NRG, a win would put them on the brink of becoming the first team ever to win a Masters and Champions title back-to-back and consecutively. For PRX, a win would mean a second international trophy and a fourth consecutive Masters title for the Pacific region. Neither team will be satisfied with anything less.

And waiting on the other side of Saturday is a Nongshim RedForce team that hasn’t lost a series all year.