We continue analyzing all the matches of the first qualifiers of the year at VCT 2025: Pacific Kickoff. Today, we will discuss the lower bracket, where DetonatioN FocusMe faces Paper Rex for the right to stay in the tournament. Elimination matches are always more exciting, so we are looking forward to this one.

Current Team Form

Paper Rex

The top favorites of last year in the Pacific region have been performing well during the OFFSEASON. The team participated in three tournaments: VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational, where they became champions, Shanghai Esports Masters 2024, where they finished 3rd-4th, Spotlight Series Pacific 2024, where they also took the title.

In their last five matches, Paper Rex secured three victories against ZETA DIVISION, their upcoming opponents DetonatioN FocusMe, and Trace Esports, while suffering two losses to Wolves Esports and T1.

Paper Rex is one of the most consistent teams in the region. They finished second at the 2023 World Championship and had a solid 2024 season. Despite losing their opening match in this tournament, they remain one of the strongest contenders in the lower bracket and are overwhelming favorites in this matchup.

DetonatioN FocusMe

This team, on the other hand, only participated in the VALORANT Radiant Asia Invitational, where they lost to their upcoming opponents and finished second.

In their last five matches, DetonatioN FocusMe has won twice, beating Global Esports and Leviatán, but suffered three losses to RRQ, ZETA DIVISION, and Fnatic.

DetonatioN FocusMe cannot be considered one of the strongest teams in the region. They are a mid-tier team at best and clear underdogs in this match, with little chance of defeating the favorites.

Map Pool

Expected Bans:

• Paper Rex will likely ban Abyss, as it is one of the few maps where their opponents are strong.
• DetonatioN FocusMe will probably remove Haven or Bind.

Expected Picks:

• Paper Rex, with their deep map pool, could pick Lotus, Split, or Fracture, unless banned.
• DetonatioN FocusMe might opt for Abyss, if available, or Bind.

Head-to-Head Record

Over the past six months, the teams have met twice. Radiant Asia Invitational: DetonatioN FocusMe won the first match 2-0. Grand Final: Paper Rex bounced back and secured a 3-1 victory.

Predicted Outcome

Considering both past and current form, Paper Rex are the clear favorites. They are far superior to their opponents, and their previous loss to DetonatioN FocusMe was either a fluke or a strategic move to secure a lower bracket run to the grand final. It is unlikely that DetonatioN FocusMe will even win their own map pick, so we predict a clean victory for Paper Rex.

Paper Rex wins 2-0

VCT 2025: Pacific Kickoff takes place from January 18 to February 9 in LAN format at the Sangam Colosseum in Seoul, South Korea. Twelve partner teams from the VCT program are competing for two invitations to Masters Bangkok and valuable Pacific Points, which are crucial for qualifying for the World Championship.