After Paper Rex’s top 4 finish at VALORANT Champions Paris, Filipino rookie Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza looked back on his breakout first year with the W Gaming squad.
PatMen joined Paper Rex at the start of the 2025 VCT Pacific Stage 1, replacing veteran Aaron “mindfreak” Leonhart after the team missed their first international VCT appearance. Since then, PRX has bounced back stronger than ever — capturing their first international trophy at VALORANT Masters Toronto and reclaiming the regional crown in VCT Pacific Stage 2.
Their Champions Paris run marked another milestone, securing PRX’s second-best finish in the global tournament since placing second at Champions Los Angeles in 2023.
For PatMen, this year also marks a historic achievement for Philippine esports. He became the first Filipino VALORANT player to win both an international and regional VCT title, surpassing the all-Filipino Team Secret’s previous deep runs in Champions.
The rookie’s success not only highlights his personal growth but also cements his place as one of the country’s most accomplished players in the global VALORANT scene.