Merdeka pride: eSports star d4v41 fires Paper Rex to Valorant title

KUALA LUMPUR: Ahmad Khalish Rusyaidee Nordin — better known in the eSports world as d4v41 — delivered the perfect Merdeka gift after helping Paper Rex (PRX) clinch the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Stage 2 title in Japan on Sunday.

The Singapore-based side outclassed Indonesian rivals RRQ 3-1 in the Grand Final at the LaLa Arena in Chiba Prefecture.

The victory earned PRX US$100,000 (RM422,200) and their first league crown since Stage 1 last year.

It was also their second trophy of the season, following success at Masters Toronto in June.

Kelantan-born Khalish is a mainstay in PRX’s starting line-up, alongside Indonesian star Jason f0rsakeN Susanto, Singaporean Wang Jinggg Jing Jie, Russian Ilia something Petrov, and Filipino Patrick PatMen Mendoza.

PRX stamped their authority early by winning their map pick, Bind, 13-8, before silencing RRQ on their own choice of Ascent with a 13-7 triumph to race into a 2-0 lead.

RRQ rallied on Lotus, sweeping to a 13-6 win, but PRX regrouped on Haven – RRQ’s pick – where d4v41 produced a standout display.

The 24-year-old led the scoreboard with a 1.29 kill-death-assist (KDA) ratio as PRX sealed the series 13-7 and the championship.

“The difference is probably our play style. We react based on our instincts,” said d4v41 after the match.

“If we play a certain team, we try to figure out what they like to do and then adapt on the spot. Not many teams approach it this way. Sometimes it can backfire, but today it worked perfectly.”

The win gives PRX momentum ahead of Champions Paris next month.

Star duelist Jinggg added: “Going into Champions, we’ll treat it like any other tournament. We’ll give our best without expecting too much, but we’re confident. “Hopefully, we can play like we did here and in Toronto – and go all the way.”

PRX were runners-up at last year’s Champions, falling 3-1 to American giants Evil Geniuses.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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