Paper Rex vs EDG Masters Tokyo: Paper Rex ends EDward Gaming’s fairy tale run

We are into the second batch of elimination matches here Masters Tokyo and we have a big game in the form of Paper Rex vs EDG. The two teams stand as the last hopes for APAC glory at Masters. And you can follow all of the action along with us as it happens.

We have an APAC battle for the ages on our hands here at Masters Tokyo as Paper Rex takes on EDward Gaming. After the conclusion of this match, only one team from Asia will be left standing at this tournament. With that team locking up a Top 4 finish and a greater chance of possibly winning the whole tournament.

Paper Rex found themselves on the receiving end of a VALORANT masterclass in their 2 - 0 defeat at the hands of Fnatic in the upper bracket semi-finals. They remain the sole Pacific League team left at Masters Tokyo. But a combination of continuous doubt surrounding Something's eligibility to play in this match, as well as their dismal performance against Fnatic, has left a large cloud of uncertainty hanging over the APAC side going into this match. And given that they are coming up against an opponent with a similarly aggressive play-style in EDG, you just have to wonder if Paper Rex will be able to full shake off that devastating loss, or if it will prove to be their downfall.

EDward Gaming shocked the world when they managed to take down LOUD in an emphatic 2 - 0 win in their last outing on the Masters stage. A victory which saw the 2022 VCT World Champions making a very early exit from the tournament. And while they have already achieved so much for themselves and for Chinese Valorant as a whole, the prospect of a guaranteed Top 4 finish would certainly be the icing on the cake for them.

We are heading to Fracture, curtesy of EDward Gaming, to begin this series. EDG lean into the standard double initiator setup we've come to see on this map. Whereas Paper Rex go for their tried and true double duellist setup with f0rsakeN and Jingg go for Neon and Raze respectectively.

EDG get off to a flying start on their defensive half as they take the first three rounds in a confident fashion. Paper Rex responds with a couple of rounds wins of their own, but they prove to be costly ones. Paper Rex call their first timeout of the map as they attempt to halt EDG's momentum. . Paper Rex manage to convert their second thrifty round of the map. But EDG remain in full control of the map as they take an 8 - 4 lead into halftime. And Zmjjkk proves to be the early difference for his side once more as he sits at 19 kills and only 7 deaths, with a 401 ACS.

EDG takes the second pistol round as well as their anti-eco to hit the double digit mark on Fracture at 10 - 4. And they look as though they might run away with this map as they get their eleventh round via their bonus round. But Paper Rex at last find some life in this map as they rip off five rounds in a row to close in on EDG's lead. And with back-to-back highlight multi-kills coming in from Jingg, their round streak increases to seven as they draw level with EDG at 11 - 11. Paper Rex reaches map point despite seeming like they were down and out of it eight rounds ago. But EDG finally manage to stabilize things as the map goes to Overtime.

Though EDG are able to push the map into Overtime, they struggle to deal with this resurgence from Paper Rex who have come leaps and bounds from where they were in the first half of the map. Paper Rex are able to shoot their way through EDG on their attack round. And with one final scrap between the two sides, Paper Rex clutch up in their defensive round to snatch Fracture away from EDG 14 - 12 to give themselves a 1 - 0 lead in the series.

Having stolen Fracture away from EDward Gaming, Paper Rex heads into their Split with the series heavily in their favour. Whereas EDG look in need of a full reset. Both sides opt to go for a full double duellist showdown.

Paper Rex takes the opening pistol round, but fall short in the succeeding three rounds as EDG hold an early advantage on the map. The Chinese side are able to get their fourth round win on the board before a huge 1 v 3 clutch from d4v41 keeps things manageable for Paper Rex. From seven onwards things quickly spirals out of EDG's hands as Paper Rex manage to overcome their opponents with their aggressive post-plant retakes. And with a big 3k coming out from their sub CGRS, Paper Rex are able to tie the map up at 6 - 6 going into halftime.

Paper Rex are able to secure the second pistol round as well as their anti-eco to take the lead on Split at 8 - 6. But this time, it is EDG who seem to flip a switch in the second half, as they tie the map up again in a flash. And from there the Chinese side manage to wrest control over this map away from Paper Rex. With the pair of Haodong and Smoggy proving to be a vital part of this resurgence. The rounds remain a scrappy affair for the most part, but Paper Rex are unable to do much to halt their opponent's newfound momentum. And within the blink of an eye, EDG are able to take Split 13 - 9. Tying up the series at 1 - 1 and feeling on top of the world at the moment.

With the series all tied up we head over to Lotus for the third and final map. Both teams opt to use a singular Sentinel in Cypher, but that is where the similarities end. With EDward Gaming electing to stick with their double duellist composition from Split. On the other hand, Paper Rex go with their double initiator composition, with CGRS selecting Gekko.

Paper Rex take the opening pistol round of the map as well as their anti-eco before failing to convert their bonus. But they come out on top in the first rifle round of the map to give themselves an early 3 - 1 lead on their defensive side. Paper Rex continue to stifle EDG's attack, as they find full value behind f0rsakeN's Cypher and the two initiators. A rare 4k from Nobody gives his side a small lifeline in this series, who slowly creep towards Paper Rex's lead. But the Pacific League side are able to take an 8- 4 lead into halftime nonetheless.

EDG are able to take a very chaotic pistol round as well as their anti-eco as they attempt to claw their way back into this map. Paper Rex deny them their bonus, but EDG trade it back to keep the game from slipping out of hand. EDG pull to within a round of tying the map, but two big plays from Mindfreak and d4v41 inspires Paper Rex as they reach match point in this series. And with one final 1v1 clutch, from CGRS of all players, Paper Rex claims victory on Lotus 13 - 9. Giving themselves the 2 - 1 series win, and putting an end to EDward Gaming's fairy tale run.

VCT Masters Tokyo is here at long last. Ten teams representing each of the three leagues, as well as two invited teams from China, are set to battle it out in Japan for a chance at Masters glory. All of the matches will be streamed live from the Tipstar Dome Chiba on the VALORANT Twitch and YouTube channels. Those of you who wish to watch the Paper Rex vs Fnatic match at Masters Tokyo may do so by clicking the links above or by tuning into our embedded live stream window down below.

Check out our VCT Masters Tokyo results article for all of the latest information regarding this tournament.

Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest VALORANT news and updates.