Paper Rex Crushes G2 at Toronto Masters

Paper Rex Destroys G2 Esports in Valorant Masters Toronto Playoffs

The Playoffs at Valorant Masters Toronto kicked off with a bang, marking the start of the two major Esports tournaments taking place this summer alongside the LoL MSI 2025. The proverbial "bang" however, was not the kind G2 Esports fans were hoping for. In a surprising twist, Paper Rex delivered a masterclass in strategy and execution, sweeping G2 2-0 and sending the North American favorites straight to the lower bracket.

For a team like G2, who entered the tournament fresh off a dominant Stage 1 run in VCT Americas and a runner-up finish at Masters Bangkok, the loss was more than just a setback—it was a wake-up call. Valorant’s ever-evolving meta continues to reward flexibility and depth over name recognition alone, and Paper Rex took full advantage.

Paper Rex Dominates G2

In their tournament debut, G2 opted for a conservative comp featuring a solo Yoru and double-controller setup alongside Breach. On paper, the lineup looked solid, and it initially paid off with a 7-5 half on Split. But once Paper Rex took the attacking side, things changed fast. Their explosive site hits and post-plant control caught G2 off guard, flipping the script despite PRX losing both pistol rounds.

A Confident 13-10 Win Lotus told a similar story. G2 initially gained traction by punishing PRX’s early A-site control attempts, but once again, the Pacific team’s composure and late-round plays shone through. PRX evened the half at 6-6 and rode momentum from pistol round wins to close the map 13-11. The newest member of the team, Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza, emerged as a standout with his Fade plays, racking up a 34/29 K/D and a 205 ACS. His performance alone could boost PRX’s chances of going deep into the bracket.

Sentinels Sweep the Floor with XLG Esports

On the other end of the bracket, Sentinels fans had plenty to cheer for. In their match against XLG Esports, the Americas team showed no mercy. Surprisingly, XLG’s map veto gave Sentinels both Sunset and Lotus—arguably two of their strongest maps. That decision turned out to be a critical misstep.

Sunset saw mirrored compositions from both sides, but Sentinels came out swinging with an 8-4 attacking half. XLG’s defensive plays, especially from Deng “happywei” Minwei on Cypher, had bright moments, but they weren’t enough to stop the wave. Sentinels closed the map 13-6 with calm, methodical play. By now, Sentinels just needed to capitalize on that momentum and keep up the pressure, and that's exactly what they did.

Lotus looked tighter at the start, with XLG taking the pistol and promising a better performance. But once Sentinels gained control with utility usage and map pressure—especially from the aggressive Neon and Raze plays by Zachary “zekken” Patrone—the game tilted heavily in their favor. Sentinels finished off Lotus 13-6, mirroring the result from the first map.

Zekken’s duelist dominance was one of the biggest highlights of the day. Across both maps, he posted a jaw-dropping 41/20 K/D and 301 ACS. It was the kind of performance that can single-handedly boost a team’s confidence heading into tougher rounds. Sentinels now look poised to make a deep run in the tournament, and if they continue this form, they’ll be a nightmare matchup for anyone aiming to climb the Valorant Masters rankings.

What’s Next at Valorant Masters Toronto?

With G2 and XLG dropping to the lower bracket, the pressure is on to stay alive in the competition. Both teams will be fighting for survival on June 15. Meanwhile, Paper Rex and Sentinels are set to clash in an upper bracket showdown on June 16—an exciting matchup that could determine who gains a crucial momentum boost.

Fans can also look forward to the debut of VCT EMEA Stage 1 champions Fnatic, and Pacific powerhouse Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ). Fnatic will take on Gen.G Esports, while RRQ faces Wolves Esports. Both matches are expected to be explosive and could significantly shake up the current Valorant rankings.

As Valorant continues to grow as a global esport, each tournament raises the bar, and Masters Toronto is no exception. With fresh talent rising, veterans being tested, and game-changing strategies unfolding each day, it’s clear that winning in Valorant isn’t just about raw aim anymore—it’s about adaptability, teamwork, and clutch factor. Whether you're grinding ranked or watching the pros, there’s plenty to learn from every round.

 

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