Another Filipino esports player is making a name in the international esports scene — Patrick ‘Patmen’ Mendoza, whose team Southeast Asian organization Paper Rex continues to dominate the VALORANT competition.
Paper Rex won a second consecutive major title after beating Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) 3:1 last weekend at the LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay in Tokyo, Japan, to take home $100,000 and represent the Pacific region as top seed in the upcoming VALORANT Champions 2025 this month.
Known for being one of the strongest teams in the Pacific region, Paper Rex always had expectations of always making it to the finals.
However, the team finished in third place in the VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 1, which signaled PRX to make some changes within the team.
That’s when Paper Rex signed the Filipino standout Mendoza, who formerly played for ZOL Esports and NAOS Esports.
He was initially signed as a substitute, but then eventually replaced Alessandro Aaron ‘mindfreak’ Leonhart.
Back then, he was just a random guy picked from the amateur scene for most VCT fans.
Adjusting and fitting into the team didn’t seem to be an issue for the rookie, as he helped PRX win two major titles in his less-than-a-year rookie season.
Back in June, he won his first tournament and first international title right away at the VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025 and recently the VCT 2025 Pacific Stage for his first regional title.
After their VCT Pacific Finals match against RRQ, Patmen thanked his Filipino fans for supporting him throughout his career.
“Sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin sa Pilipinas, sobrang maraming salamat sa inyo. Sana suportahan ‘yung mga ibang Filipino pro-players. And lagi lang natin isipin na ginagawa namin lahat ‘yung best namin. Thank you so much for the support.”
He also gave advice to those aspiring to be a professional esports athlete like him.
“Sa lahat ng mga gustong pumasok as esports athlete, una, gusto kong sabihin na hindi siya ganu’n kadali. Kailangan ninyo ng matibay na mentality and mindset. Lagi niyo nang isipin na i-enjoy niyo lagi ‘yung laro,” he said.
