Singaporean Valorant professional player Wang “Jinggg” Jing Jie has joined Singpaore Esports organisation, Paper Rex main Valorant roster. This means that player Zhang Teng “Shiba” Toh has relegated into the substitute bench.
Prior to the new signing, Paper Rex has made it into the VCT Stage 3 Master Belin tournament but were knocked out from the group stages. The team roster that went to Berlin were:
- Aaron “mindfreak” Leonhart
- Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto
- Benedict “Benkai” Tan
- Khalish “d4v41” Rusyaidee
- Zhang Teng “shiba” Toh
Shiba was previously signed in May 2020 and the team qualified for VCT Stage 3 Masters scheduled in September 2021 after they came in second place during the VCT SEA Stage 3 Challenger Playoffs. However, the team were eliminated early at Master Berlins held in Germany and Shiba has failed to perform during the elimination match against SuperMassive Blaze. As Paper Rex did not pass through in the Masters Berlin tournament, this means that they have failed to secure a spot in VCT Champions later this year.
Paper Rex which were tied with Team Secret (previously Bren Esports) at 225 circuit points, were fighting for the spot in SEA region for VCT Champions. Paper Rex had to beat SuperMassive Blaze to secure a spot at Champions. Unfortunately, SuperMassive Blaze took down Paper Rex 2-1 in a close match where both teams put up a massive fight. Paper Rex was unable to earn any points exiting the group stage, and hence the tie eventually came to the Challengers playoffs performance. Team Secret beat Paper Rex in the playoffs and subsequently secured the spot for SEA region.
During the elimination match with SuperMassive Blaze, Paper Rex had a tough match but came from behind to win over the map Haven which the won 14-12. However, the downfall came for map Breeze and Paper Rex strategy failed to materialise and succumb to SuperMassive Blaze’s victory. The match ended 13-2 to SuperMassive Blaze, where Shiba failed to obtain a single kill. Paper Rex tried to pick up momentum in the last map but were unable to keep up with the pressure. They came quite close and lost 13-10 to SuperMassive Blaze.
Paper Rex, now back in Singapore, is looking to bolster their initiator role for the VCT APAC Last Chance Qualifier, in order to qualify for the VCT Champions. They have signed Jinggg which is a duelist main who was previously from Team SMG. This will likely shape things up for Paper Rex as they work to reinforce the team towards the next tournament at the end of the year.