Paper Rex dropped a bombshell last month, confirming they released Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza right before the 2026 VCT Pacific Kickoff.
The Filipino rookie joined in mid-2025 and quickly slotted in as their main initiator, helping snag podium spots in both VCT Pacific stages and that landmark Masters Toronto trophy, their first big international win. Fans still buzz about his clutch plays in Toronto, where he bossed utility lines to keep PRX alive in high-stakes matches.
The org called it a tough call after hashing things out with players, coaches, and analysts. They stressed every change weighs team fit, long-term aims, and raw competitive edge, not snap judgments.
PatMen adapted fast to Tier 1 pressure since March, earning nods like the Initiator of the Stage awards, but whispers from Champs pointed to dips in big moments.
PRX performance coach “Panda” Cheng shared a heartfelt note, praising PatMen’s energy on and off the server, from rainy bike rides to ankle-breaking moves in practice. No bad blood surfaced; PatMen just quoted the post with thanks.
Leaked info dragged out the process, testing fan patience as transfer windows loomed. PRX owned up to the mess, thanking supporters for sticking through the uncertainty. It’s classic esports churn, where one podium run doesn’t lock your spot if dynamics shift.
InvY Swap Sparks Upgrade Talk
PRX didn’t sit idle, snagging Joshua “InvY” Lazaro from Team Secret to fill the initiator void. The move smells like a calculated pivot, especially after stalled buyout chats reportedly gummed up earlier plans. InvY brings fresh aggression, pairing with PRX’s duelist-heavy flex pool that got rigid post-Mindfreak’s exit last year.
Community reactions split hard on VLR and Reddit. Some called PatMen’s Toronto peak proof of untapped upside, slamming the bench as premature after Champs wobbles.
PatMen (Credit: CNN)
Others nodded to the math: PRX craves global hardware beyond Pacific crowns, and late-2025 synergies faltered in the new meta. No public gripes from PatMen himself, unlike past PRX exits where players vented timing woes.
This shakeup mirrors past Pacific power plays, like Fnatic’s midseason swaps, where quiet trials decide fates. PRX framed it as chasing peak rosters, betting InvY unlocks more firepower.
Fresh Start Fuels PatMen’s Fire
Global Esports scooped PatMen the same day, reuniting him with fellow Pinoy xavi8k, now calling shots as IGL. GX eyes a breakout in Pacific challengers, giving the 23-year-old a stage to rebuild momentum without PRX’s spotlight glare. PatMen’s agent pool versatility shines here, away from a stacked flex lineup.
Panda’s sign-off urged grind mode, hinting PatMen knows his tweaks. Fans liken it to underdog tales, refusing to write off a Toronto hero. VCT Kickoff kicks off January 22, pitting PRX’s new core against GX’s hungry duo early.
PatMen’s arc screams resilience in a scene where rookies rise fast but fall faster. PRX pushes for dominance; he hunts his next trophy. Eyes stay glued.
When NCIS launched in 2003, Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin “Kate” Todd quickly became a fan favorite. As Gibbs’ junior agent, her sharp mind and dry wit balanced Tony’s antics and anchored the original team.
But behind the scenes, the reality was far less glamorous. Network procedurals like NCIS demand around 22–24 episodes per season, often filmed over 10 months with 12–17-hour days, a grind that can wear anyone down.
In interviews and on the “Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch” podcast, Alexander has been candid about why she stepped away after just two seasons. She described the workload as “hardcore,” saying the long hours left almost no space for a normal life outside the set.
Executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson later confirmed that Alexander approached co‑creator Donald P. Bellisario and told him she loved the show but simply couldn’t sustain that pace. The decision wasn’t driven by drama or creative clashes; it was about preserving her own well‑being.
A Shocking Death That Changed Everything
Instead of quietly transferring Kate to another department or having her resign, the writers chose a far more dramatic route. In the Season 2 finale, “Twilight,” Kate is assassinated by Ari Haswari, a rogue Mossad agent and Gibbs’ nemesis, with a single shot to the head.
The scene stunned viewers and became one of the most talked‑about moments in early NCIS history, turning a personal exit into a seismic narrative event.
Kate Todd (Credit: NCIS)
Bellisario reportedly embraced the idea of killing Kate off, seeing it as a way to raise the stakes and shake up the team dynamic. The decision also served the show’s long‑term arc: Kate’s death directly paved the way for Ziva David’s introduction, a character who would go on to become one of the series’ most iconic figures.
For fans, the loss of Kate was painful, but it also marked the moment NCIS proved it was willing to take big, emotional risks rather than playing it safe.
How Kate’s Exit Shaped NCIS’ Future
In the years that followed, Kate’s absence left a noticeable void, especially in Tony’s character development. Her death haunted him for seasons, influencing his relationships and decisions in ways that still echo through the show’s later arcs.
Flashbacks and references to Kate kept her memory alive, a testament to how deeply fans connected with her.
For Alexander, leaving NCIS allowed her to pursue other projects and regain control over her schedule. She went on to star in shows like “Rizzoli & Isles,” where she played a lead role with a more manageable workload.
In hindsight, her exit feels less like a sudden shock and more like a necessary recalibration for both her career and the show’s evolution.
NCIS continued to thrive, but Kate Todd’s brief tenure remains a defining chapter in its history, a reminder that even the most beloved characters can be shaped by the realities of the industry behind the scenes.
