Paper Rex star player and VCT Pacific MVP Ilia “something” Petrov has had his US visa application approved, clearing his way to play at the 2023 VALORANT Champions in Los Angeles.
SINGAPORE – Ilia “something” Petrov has received approval for his US visa, clearing his way to play with Paper Rex at the 2023 VALORANT Champions, the Singapore-based organization has confirmed to VALO2ASIA.
The strength of the Pacific champions will once again be on display after Paper Rex had to substitute something with Patiphan “CigaretteS” Posri during VALORANT Masters Tokyo in June. Due to something joining the team mid-season, his Japan visa applications were still under review at the time, casting uncertainty on his participation until deep into the tournament.
Despite this, Paper Rex secured an impressive second runners-up finish, overcoming DRX, EDward Gaming, and tournament favorites NRG Esports. Their run, however, came to an end in the lower finals by eventual finalists Evil Geniuses, in a nail-biting best-of-five series that ended 2-3.
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The other team members have already processed their US visas, meaning that Paper Rex will compete in LA with the same roster that triumphed in the VCT Pacific League over Korean powerhouse and hometown favorites DRX.
While the match-ups are yet to be revealed, Paper Rex will be up against the other 15 teams, including the likes of fellow Pacific teams DRX, T1, and an as-yet-determined team from the Pacific LCQ in Los Angeles, California.
The 2023 VALORANT Champions is set to take place from August 6-26 at the Shrine Auditorium and Kia Forum.
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Cover photo courtesy of VCT Pacific
