Masters Santiago 2026: Bittersweet as a PRX Fan, but a Dream Run Worth Respecting

Masters Santiago 2026 did not end the way I hoped it would.

Coming into the tournament, I really believed this could be another big moment for Paper Rex. As a fan based in Singapore, there is always that added pride watching them take on the best teams in the world.

But this event ended up being something else. Not just a reminder of how close PRX are, but also a showcase of one of the most impressive runs we have seen in recent VALORANT.

Because while PRX fell short, Nongshim RedForce went from a newly promoted team to Masters champions, and they didn’t drop a single match from Kickoff all the way to the trophy. That is a run you cannot ignore.

PRX Still Play the Way We Love

Paper Rex stayed true to their identity in Santiago.

Fast-paced, aggressive and always willing to take risks, they played the kind of VALORANT that has made them one of the most exciting teams to watch. The reverse sweep against FURIA was a perfect example. It showed their resilience and their belief, even when a series looks out of reach.

But over the course of the tournament, the same challenge appeared again. Consistency in the biggest moments.

They created chances. They found openings. But against top teams, those small moments decide everything, and they were not always able to close them out.

From Promotion to Undefeated Champions

What makes Nongshim’s run stand out even more is where they started.

Not long ago, they were not even part of the top tier. Their promotion into the Pacific League already felt like a step forward. But what followed went far beyond expectations.

They did not just settle into the league. They dominated.

From Kickoff to Masters Santiago, their run felt almost perfect. Series after series, they showed structure, discipline and a level of control that made them incredibly hard to break down.

By the time they reached the grand final, it did not feel like a surprise anymore. It felt like the natural conclusion of everything they had built over the past few months.

Composure Over Chaos

Watching Nongshim play, what stood out to me was how calm everything looked.

They were never rushed. They did not rely on explosive moments to win rounds. Instead, they trusted their setups, their utility and their decision-making.

Even in high-pressure situations, they stuck to their game. That level of composure is what separates a strong team from a championship team.

As a PRX fan, it is hard not to compare. PRX thrive in chaos and momentum. Nongshim thrive in control. Right now, that control is what wins titles.

A Bittersweet Result

I will not pretend this result does not sting.

Watching PRX, you can see how close they are. They have the talent, the confidence and the experience to go all the way. But they are still missing that final layer of consistency.

At the same time, it is hard not to feel some level of appreciation.

Nongshim RedForce are part of the Pacific League, yet again producing another Masters Champion. Seeing another Asian team go from promotion to lifting a Masters trophy, and doing it with such a clean run, is something I can respect.

Looking Ahead

If anything, Masters Santiago makes the path forward clearer.

For PRX, it is about refining what they already have. Keeping their identity, but tightening the details that decide close games.

For the region, it shows what is possible. A team can come in, build quickly and reach the very top if everything clicks.

As a fan, I am still backing PRX. That does not change.

But after watching Nongshim’s journey from promotion to champions, one thing is certain.

The standard has been raised.

image : IG - valorantesports