something makes the Top 20 APAC Players of 2023 ranking for the first time in third place as one of the best fraggers and most impactful players of the year.
RUSSIA – Ilia “something” Petrov of Paper Rex comes in at No. 3 of the Top 20 APAC Players of 2023 ranking at VALO2ASIA Awards 2023 on the back of his unmatched fragging output and unparalleled impact in the biggest matches. As we enter the tier of world-class performers of this year’s Top 20, something makes his debut in the ranking.
The 21-year-old established himself as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from the CIS region and gained wider recognition during his stint in Japan with teams like Insomnia, BLUE BEES, and Sengoku Gaming. His career took a leap forward with Paper Rex, marking his entrance in the inaugural VCT Pacific season, where he earned the titles of League’s MVP and Duelist of the Year.
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Among his highlights were achieving the highest league rating of 1.22 in the 2023 VCT Pacific season and his signature mastery of the Reyna agent. To put it simply, something stood out as one of the best fraggers and most impactful players of 2023, who shined in the most competitive tournaments and against the toughest international opponents.
His ranking was somewhat limited by his absence from VALORANT Masters Tokyo, a key event that the players ranked above him participated in and finished third. This factor also played a role in CGRS securing the #18 spot on the list. However, being among the Pacific’s finest and having recently completed a successful international debut in LA, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him achieve an even higher ranking next year.
Here’s what the voting panel members of the 2023 VALO2ASIA Awards have to say about something:
Clinton “Paperthin” Bader:
“Hard for me to argue that Something wasn’t the MVP of the year for Pacific. Not only regionally but globally as well, he showed how vital his skill is to the PRX team with them improving from a third-place finish at Masters Tokyo to a second at Champions LA.
His OP skill is off the charts, and he has some of the best instincts with Jett I have ever seen, not to mention tremendous creativity and on-the-fly decision-making.”
Nico “blackenBlue” Gayoso:
“It’s impossible to imagine how Paper Rex could find another duelist as aggressive and exciting as Jinggg and f0rsakeN were from the prior year, and yet they somehow were able to.
The year was full of exciting new stars, and something was by far the most standout surprise. I don’t doubt there isn’t a player in the world who would’ve fit the Pacific Champs’ roster as well as he did in the short time frame required. Truly embodying W Gaming from day 1, it is something to behold.” –
Mika “Mikafabs” Fabella:
“something’s mysterious debut all the way to his jaw-dropping plays, which have given the most highly anticipated matches of the year.”
VALO2ASIA is not affiliated with or sponsored by Riot Games, Inc. or VALORANT Esports.
Cover photo courtesy of Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
