NRG and Paper Rex Set for Third Showdown at VALORANT Masters Santiago

NRG and PRX are set to clash for a third time at VALORANT Masters Santiago, this time in the Lower Finals. The winner advances to the Grand Final, where they'll face Nongshim RedForce for the $350,000 champion's prize and the coveted Masters trophy. The loser will be eliminated, settling for a third-place finish.

Unlike their previous meetings, this decisive matchup will be played as a best-of-five, raising the stakes even higher. Below, we share our analysis and prediction for who will come out on top.

NRG - Can the Reigning World Champions Lift Another International Trophy?

Despite a roster change since their Champions 2025 triumph, NRG remains a formidable force. Former Team Liquid talent keiko, who replaced s0m in this year's lineup, brings excellent balance to the team as a flexible player capable of handling Duelist, Sentinel, and Controller agents. 

With Ethan still at the helm, NRG remains as strategically sound as they were last season. While they lost an exceptional talent in s0m, keiko has filled those shoes admirably. Meanwhile, brawk continues to excel on Sova with the Odin, while mada and skuba bring immense firepower and a deep agent pool. 

The current NRG roster has competed in two tournaments together, securing a 2nd-place finish at Red Bull Home Ground and a 3rd-place finish at the 2026 Americas Kickoff. So far at Masters Santiago, they've won four out of six matches, including victories over Team Liquid, BBL, and PRX. Their two losses came against PRX and Nongshim RedForce, but throughout the tournament, NRG has looked every bit a top contender. A win over PRX would send them to the Grand Final, where Nongshim RedForce awaits.

Current NRG Lineup:

• Ethan "Ethan" Arnold

• Adam "mada" Pampuch

• Brock "brawk" Somerhalder

• Logan "skuba" Jenkins

• Georgio "keiko" Sanassy

PRX - Can the Southeast Asian Superpower Win its Second Masters Title?

Paper Rex has been a fundamentally strong team from the start. While they don't always adhere to the standard playstyle, their set plays and individual firepower make them a threat to any opponent. Their core trio of d4v41, f0rsakeN, and Jinggg has been together for nearly five years, while something has been with the squad for three.

f0rsakeN is the team's most versatile player, combining explosive firepower with a deep agent pool. Jinggg and something match him in mechanical skill and serve as the first line of contact in Paper Rex's aggressive playstyle. d4v41 provides the perfect counterbalance to such an explosive lineup; his clutch ability and multi-frag potential are often game-changers and a cornerstone of the team's VALORANT legacy. Even their newest addition, invy, has slotted seamlessly into the Initiator role, bringing reliable firepower to an already stacked roster.

So far this season, Paper Rex has played 13 matches, losing only three. Their strong performance earned them a third-place finish at the Pacific Kickoff to start the year. At Masters Santiago, they've played six matches, securing wins over NRG, FURIA, All Gamers, and G2 (twice), with their sole defeat coming at the hands of NRG.

Current Paper Rex Lineup:

• Khalish "d4v41" Rusyaidee

• Jason "f0rsakeN" Susanto

• Ilia "something" Petrov

• Wang "Jinggg" Jing Jie

• Adrian "invy" Reyes

Head-to-Head History

NRG and PRX have faced off twice so far at Masters Santiago. Their Swiss Stage meeting ended with PRX claiming a 2-1 victory, while the playoff rematch saw NRG respond with a dominant 2-0 win. With their head-to-head tally now tied at 1-1, the upcoming best-of-five decider will settle the score once and for all and determine which squad truly comes out on top.

NRG vs PRX: Who Will Win? 

With all five players firing on all cylinders and a strong start to the season, NRG stands as a legitimate threat for the Masters Santiago title. However, based on current form and performances against top international competition, PRX appears to hold the upper hand heading into this matchup.

While both lineups have spent roughly the same amount of time together, PRX boasts a more experienced core and a roster stacked with explosive firepower. The Lower Finals will be a best-of-five series, meaning past best-of-three results may not tell the full story. In this regard, PRX's greater experience in longer series only strengthens their case.

Make no mistake, though, NRG is a formidable team with strong leadership and promising young talent, and this match could very well swing in their favor. Still, PRX enters as the more likely victor. Regardless of the outcome, this third meeting between the two sides promises to be a thrilling watch and perhaps even the beginning of a lasting rivalry.

Where to Watch NRG vs PRX at VALORANT Masters Santiago

Fans worldwide can tune into the NRG vs PRX Masters Santiago Lower Finals match on Twitch and YouTube. The match will begin at 10 am PDT / 6 pm CET on March 14, 2026.

You can also follow the action on the Strafe Esports tournament page as the tournament unfolds.

Follow Strafe Esports for the latest VALORANT news and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe's channel on YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credit: Riot Games

Read More:

Paper Rex Eliminates G2 Esports from VALORANT Masters Santiago

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VCT Masters Santiago Playoffs: Teams, Bracket, Schedule, and More