Something after defeating FURIA: “Just enjoy the game” - Post-match Press Conference

Paper Rex player something commented on the team’s 2:1 win over FURIA in the opening playoff match of VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026, highlighting his mindset on stage, the impact of the crowd, and the team’s steady progress through the event. After dropping the first map, PRX responded with stronger performances on the next two, secured a top-six finish, and moved forward in the upper bracket.

Following Paper Rex’s 2:1 win over FURIA in the opening playoff match of VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026, the team addressed the media in a post-match press conference. During the session, PRX players and coach alecks discussed key moments from the series, the team’s in-game adjustments, crowd support, and their approach to the rest of the event.

Something explains his mindset in clutch moments

One of the main talking points of the press conference was something’s individual performance, especially in clutch situations on Breeze. He said the biggest difference for him was not forcing plays, but slowing down and trusting his own style.

For example, this one-versus-two where I was with G in mid, we killed Asuna, then they rotated to the site. Meanwhile, in the voice comms I kept calling to them not to die because I’m in a good spot because they don’t know where I am. And about being hype, I guess this crowd is crazy. I had a talk with Alex yesterday evening about how I should enjoy the game in general and how I need to play. So basically my game style. It’s not like I need to dive in in general as a player because I’m not that style. I’m not a Jason or a D4 who will go to the site and kill three people. For me it’s more like if I can take 1v1, most likely I believe I’m gonna win it. Meanwhile the whole tournament I keep crushing myself, keep trying to help my teammates. Meanwhile, they don’t really need it, you know. So, in general, firstly, just enjoy. Enjoy the game. Enjoy being on the stage with you guys, especially. The crowd was insane. Especially today. And yeah, slow down. That’s it.

Something

Paper Rex downplay favorite status

Another question focused on Paper Rex’s status in the tournament, with the team once again being named among the favorites by observers. PRX, however, did not lean into that label and instead stressed their day-by-day approach.

We don’t really believe we’re gonna win the whole tournament. I mean, look guys, let’s be real. I came from the third seed. How do you want us to be a favorite when we are not even first or second seed? And secondly, for us the best is to qualify for playoffs, which we did already. And yeah, keep improving day by day. For example, today we played well in general on the second and third map. The first map, I guess, is going to be a long review from Alex and the team.

Something

F0rsakeN says PRX grew into the series

F0rsakeN was then asked whether Paper Rex managed to impose their usual aggressive style against FURIA or had to adjust more than usual. He explained that the team needed one map to settle in before showing a clearer version of their own game.

I think for me, the first map maybe we took it not too seriously. But on the second map, we kind of showed you guys that we play aggressive against them and we kind of know how to handle them. After we played the first map, we kind of adapted to their playstyle as well since their playstyle is similar to us. So I think for the second map, we did well in terms of showing our playstyle.

F0rsakeN

Something credits teammates for his resurgence

When asked about his standout series after a more difficult start earlier in the event, something redirected the praise toward his teammates and coaching staff. He said the team has helped him rediscover his form.

I don’t really think it’s about me in general. I’m trying to help my teammates still in terms of calling, giving some ideas in the round. And I already answered this before. For me, Alex and my teammates are helping me a lot in terms of finding myself again and being something again in VALORANT. So I will say thank you to them for helping me.

Something

Alecks says PRX arrived without pressure

The discussion then shifted to Paper Rex’s run at Masters Santiago as a whole. Head coach Alexandre “alecks” Sallé said the team entered the tournament without heavy expectations and has been focused more on growth than pressure.

I think coming in, we didn’t have any expectations, so the goal was to just make playoffs. I think we’ve done that. So we’re going to try our best to keep the energy going and not put too much pressure on ourselves. The first tournament of the year is usually one of the hardest to get right, meta-wise. Sometimes things can happen that you’re not used to because you don’t have enough information. But we’re going to try our best, and I think we’re doing a good job so far.

alecks

f0rsakeN opens up on his agent flexibility

F0rsakeN also spoke about his flexibility and why he is comfortable switching between multiple agents and roles. According to him, that comes naturally from how he approaches the game outside officials as well.

I think if you’re asking about how I can play so many roles and agents, it’s just because maybe for me I like to be creative and stuff, and I like to use the abilities on agents. In ranked, I just keep playing other agents because sometimes I’m just bored to play the same agent every time. So I just play other agents and I just try to learn it and play every day until I’m used to it. So I think that’s the reason why maybe I can play a lot of agents.

f0rsakeN

Jinggg highlights fan support and prep work

Jinggg was later asked whether the crowd made a difference, especially with FURIA playing in front of a live audience in such a high-pressure series. He said the support in the arena clearly helped PRX.

I think for sure the energy from the fans helped all of us. Because I think even though we were playing against FURIA, there were still many fans that cheered for us as well. So yeah, I think the cheers from the fans definitely helped us.

Jinggg

He also explained how much preparation Paper Rex put into the Brazilian side before the match. Rather than building a full anti-strat, the team focused more on tendencies and adaptation.

Personally, every morning before the game, I would spend like two to three hours watching the opponent’s VODs. And I think as a team, we would prepare the day before. It’s been not really like full counter, but more like how can we adapt to their playstyle, what their habits are, and stuff. So yeah, pretty much not super heavy anti-strat, but kind of knowing their habits and tendencies.

Jinggg

Alecks names NRG as PRX’s toughest test

Alecks was also asked which opponent had been the toughest for Paper Rex so far at the tournament, after matches against G2 Esports, NRG, and FURIA. He pointed to NRG as the most difficult matchup up to this point.

I think probably NRG was the one we had to prepare for the most, even though we had less time, simply because we didn’t know if they were going to change anything. They had a lot of time to prepare, so it’s a bit more nuanced in that sense. However, when you play NRG, world champions, first of all, and second of all, they really have great mental strength, lots of experience. They know how to work the stage. You don’t win Champions without being a really great team. So I think NRG was the toughest.

Alecks

Alecks on Paper Rex adjusting during matches

Near the end of the conference, alecks addressed Paper Rex’s tendency to grow into series after shaky stretches. He said the team often learns and adjusts on the fly, even if that can sometimes lead to messy rounds early on.

As a coach, I would prefer that we are in control all the time. But with Paper Rex and our boys, I think they learn a lot during the game itself. They try to read the opponent on the spot, so sometimes wrong reads happen and that’s why we tend to make a lot of mistakes. But I’m very confident that every game we play, every match, every round we play, they learn a little bit more about the opponent. They adjust accordingly because that’s what we talk about a lot in practice.

alecks

Paper Rex hope the rest of the field takes notice

Finally, PRX were asked whether this win sends a message to the rest of the field. The answer was measured, but it still carried confidence.

I think every win so far has been against a really good team. So hopefully people get more scared of us as the tournament keeps going because our motto as a team as well is that we keep improving during the tournament.

Invy

Masters Santiago takes place from February 28 to March 16 in Chile. During the tournament, 12 teams compete for a prize pool of $1,000,000, as well as VCT ranking points, which are crucial for further qualification to VALORANT Champions. You can find more details about the results and the schedule of upcoming matches at this link.