[EXCLUSIVE] “There will be a lot of changes.” Paper Rex Monyet on going into VCT Masters Madrid

In the aftermath of the intense Grand Finals clash between Paper Rex and Gen.G at the VCT Pacific Kickoff 2024, Strafe Esports received the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Cahya "Monyet" Nugraha, the newest addition to the Paper Rex roster.

Before we started the interview, we asked Monyet to share a few of his thoughts on the Grand Finals.

[Monyet] I think we're not playing to our maximum level, honestly, because we're very shaky coming to this tournament, not like we did in practice. And I think the tournament format for group stage, I think it was okay, but in the playoffs, like it's a bit deadly, I'll say, because it's only single elim to go to Madrid.

Adapting to a New Team

Monyet reflects on his transition to the team and the challenges of adapting to a different playstyle. Coming from Global Esports, where he played primarily as a controller, Monyet discusses the stark differences in his approach as a duelist on Paper Rex.

“I feel like I'm a bit too fast, because I think I'm not used to it…”

[Interviewer] Being new to this team, you've only played a few games with this team during the offseason, and this was your first official tournament. So how do you feel playing in this team?

[Monyet] I'll say it was real good, also in practice, because we do everything really well. But it just didn't come up as what we practiced to our matches. So yeah.

[Interviewer] Follow up question, how different do you feel, or how similar is it to your time at Global Esports? So do you think things are slightly different here? Or do you think that they're similar enough that you can put yourself on the spot and get going right away without much changes?

[Monyet] It's very different. It's really different. Because in GE, I played a lot slower. And now, coming back again as Duelist, as what I did before playing GE, it's like a very different thing.

I'll say, sometimes when I'm in the game, I feel like I'm a bit too fast, because I think I'm not used to it when it comes to playing tournaments as a Duelist again. So it's a bit different.

Role Selection and Strategy

We also asked Monyet to share his thoughts on his decision to take on the duelist role within Paper Rex and the team's experimentation with a triple duelist composition. Expressing his desire to challenge himself and capitalize on the team's existing lineup, Monyet highlights the ongoing evolution of their strategies as they prepare for VCT Madrid.

“There will be a lot of changes.”

[Interviewer] You mentioned playing a Duelist on PRX. Is this something that you picked up yourself or was this role assigned to you by the team? 

[Monyet] Yeah, it's the one that I picked up myself because I really want to try it. Because I think playing Smokes will be hard for me if I play in PRX because you already have Mindfreak and they also need a Duelist. And I think it's a good choice for me to have more experience with a better team.

[Interviewer] With you on the team, PRX has been experimenting with a triple Duelist comp. You're obviously an important part of that strategy. So how do you feel with this new triple Duelist comp?

[Monyet] There will be a lot of changes, I think, because we just changed this comp for like probably a week. And we don't have a lot of pocket strats on it yet. But I think we will have more when we go into Madrid.

Managing Pressure and Expectations

As Paper Rex gears up for VCT Madrid, Monyet shares his excitement and anticipation for the upcoming international tournament. He acknowledges the pressure but remains confident in his ability to handle it.

“I don't think I'll be nervous for sure.”

[Interviewer] Okay, speaking of Madrid, what are your thoughts, your expectations, any plans you have going into Madrid? 

[Monyet] It's gonna be fun for sure. Because it's only eight teams, I think, yeah, eight teams. Eight teams will go to Madrid, which is, all of them are like the best in the league. So yeah, I'm very excited to go to Madrid.

[Interviewer] VCT Madrid will also be your first official international tournament. So are you feeling the nerves? How are you handling the pressure right now?

[Monyet] I think after this tournament, after so many times, I think it will be, okay, I'll say. I don't think I'll be nervous for sure. Because it already happened in this tournament. Just this is my first tournament of 2024 and come back into LAN tournament.

[Interviewer] Do you have any expectations or any thoughts on the other teams that you might face? 

[Monyet] I think all the teams will be strong. And I'm pretty excited to play against them.

Assessing VCT Pacific Stage One

We also asked Monyet to provide his perspective on VCT Pacific Stage 1. He also reflects on Paper Rex's performance, discussing the adjustment to tournament play and expressing confidence in the team's ability to improve over time.

“You cannot just underestimate a team in this environment, basically.”

[Interviewer] VCT Pacific stage one. So in the press conference, Coach Alecks said that there are a few teams to watch out for, such as T1. Do you share his sentiment? Or do you think there are other dangerous teams as well that you have to watch out for? 

[Monyet] I think all the teams will be pretty good in Pacific. I mean, Pacific this year, overall, because it's been a lot of roster changes. And I think the meta will be very different from last year, which is, it's already shown on the match during the Kickoff. So yeah, I think, every team has a danger, you know. You cannot just underestimate a team in this environment, basically.

[Interviewer] One question I have about today's game. On Bind (which was your map pick), Gen.G was just the better team. With this being your first official tournament with this team, did you feel some sort of pressure? Because everyone was saying you're not playing at the level that they expect from you. So was it kind of a mental thing? Or was it? Or is it just something that can be fixed with time?

[Monyet] It can be fixed for sure. It's just like, not, I think I'm just not used to how you really play duels in tournaments, you know, because practice and tournament are really different things. So yeah, I think I'm really getting into it

Before concluding the interview, we asked Monyet to share one last message to the fans and supporters of Paper Rex.

[Interviewer] Do you have anything you want to say to the fans and the people who just saw you on stage today? Because even though you lost, it was still a great game. And you all obviously played your best. So anything you want to say? 

[Monyet] Thank you everyone for supporting PRX.

And I'm so sorry I didn't do well today. And also, we didn't do well as a team. I hope you guys keep supporting us until… I just want to say I just, I hope you guys keep supporting us. Thank you very much.

[Interviewer] Okay, that was all from my side. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. And all the best for VCT Madrid and also for Stage 1.

Even though Paper Rex lost the VCT Pacific Kickoff 2024 Grand Finals to Gen.G, they still qualified for VCT Masters Madrid 2024. We will see him, and the rest of Paper Rex face off against the best Valorant players in the world very soon.

Follow all the Valorant Regional Leagues as well as VCT Masters Madrid on the official Strafe Android and iOS apps. and also on the Strafe website.

As an additional bonus, you can catch the VOD for the interview on our new YouTube channel.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games

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