As the clock ticks down to the eagerly anticipated VCT Pacific League Stage 1, Paper Rex's roster is looking stronger than ever, especially with the return of Wang "Jinggg" Jing Jie to the competitive scene. This strategic move places Cahya "Monyet" Nugraha in the reserve player slot, marking a significant reshuffle for the team. Paper Rex, riding high on a commendable top-three finish on the global stage, is leaving no stone unturned to keep their winning momentum going.
The buzz started with a tweet from Paper Rex, hinting at Jinggg's return for the first split of the upcoming VCT Pacific League, scheduled from April 6th to May 12th. The Singaporean prodigy was initially poised for compulsory military service post-2023 season. Yet, fate had other plans, allowing him to make a grand return to the esports arena.
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— Paper Rex (@pprxteam) March 29, 2024
?? ????????? — Paper Rex is happy to announce that Wang "Jinggg" Jing Jie will be returning to competitive play for VCT Pacific, Split 1. After following the due process for… pic.twitter.com/3kvhqxtIQw
"Prepping for Jing Jie's military service was always on our radar. Our game plan to sustain our VALORANT team's competitive spirit kicked off early in 2023. But luck’s on our side with Jing Jie’s comeback. We're all pumped up and getting his paperwork ready for his swift return to action," shared Harley “dsn” Örvall, CGO of Paper Rex.
Jinggg's return comes after a medical evaluation deemed him unfit for military service due to a lifelong health condition that requires continuous management. This discovery happened during the medical assessments post the last season, as he was gearing up to enlist. Although Jinggg's health is a private affair, it's reassuring to know that it doesn't hinder his prowess in the VALORANT battlefield. This positive turn of events has led to Jinggg renewing his contract with PRX, ensuring his presence on the team till the end of the 2026 season.
With Jinggg reclaiming his spot, Monyet transitions to a reserve role, allowing PRX to leverage its roster depth. Known for its dynamic team compositions, PRX showcased its versatility and strategy experimentation in the AfreecaTV VALORANT League during the off-season, a period of roster experimentation and adjustment.
The VCT Pacific League Stage 1 presents a golden opportunity for PRX to rediscover its rhythm. Despite their commendable finish at Masters Madrid, the team faced criticism for its inconsistency. Head coach Alexandre “alecks” Sallé attributed these fluctuations to the recent roster changes and the adaptation to new roles and strategies.
Current Paper Rex Roster:
- Aaron ‘mindfreak’ Leonhart
- Jason ‘f0rsakeN’ Susanto
- Khalish ‘d4v41’ Rusyaidee
- Ilia ‘something’ Petrov
- Jing Jie ‘Jinggg’ Wang
- Cahya ‘Monyet’ Nugraha (Reserve)
- Alexandre ‘Alecks’ Salle (Coach)
Jinggg's comeback could be the game-changer PRX needs to reclaim its dominance in the VCT Pacific, posing a formidable challenge to the current regional leaders, Gen.G Esports. As the tournament draws near, all eyes will be on PRX, eagerly waiting to see if they can disrupt the status quo and emerge as the champions of the Pacific once again.