Team WE beat Bilibili Gaming in round 1 of the LPL Split 2 playoffs. BLG were the favorite to win the entire event, while WE came dead last in Group Ascend after winning one single series. Nevertheless, odds be damned and BLG lost 1-3 against all expectations.
The playoff match between these two teams was a bloodbath even by LPL standards. In no game was either team able to hold a lead without throwing. While expectations were low for WE, this isn’t what fans wanted to see out of a team supposed to represent China at internationals.
Game 1 of the series was even until BLG fumbled their positioning in a teamfight. Wang “Monki” Meng-Qi outperformed Peng “Xun” Li-Xun in the jungle, and things quickly unfolded from there.
After a mental reset, BLG immediately jumped far ahead in game 2. This time, Xun and Zhuo “Knight” Ding led the dance. WE fought back valiantly, but BLG’s mid laner terrorized them at every corner, masterfully playing around vision on Annie. Knight ended the game with a score of 14/1/13, on a 62-kill map.
The third map was off to another rough start for Team WE. WE quickly lost what lead they reclaimed, and with a Renekton-Nidalee combo, they needed to win fast. However, BLG lost a fight for Dragon Soul while up 10k gold. Off the back of that objective, WE won one more fight and the game.
For once, game four started with a lead for WE. However, after three bad fights, the tides turned in favor of BLG.
Naturally, the series ended in the most (or least) logical way. Up 4k gold and a Soul, BLG pushed into WE’s base and took both Nexus turrets. Then, they forgot to finish, and got wiped out. Team WE then won in the resulting push.
WE’s arena will host more games in the LPL playoffs as WE beats BLG. Image source: Riot Games
BLG vs WE was an entertaining series, for sure. With 168 kills in four games, this was one of the bloodiest series in LoL history.
Beyond that, this was the last place beating the first place. Team WE started the split on a 16-game losing streak. WE won their first map in week 5 after eight matches, and their first and only series in week 6. On the other hand, BLG only lost two series.
The First Stand champion lost to the team that came dead last. Now, they’ll have to play in the loser’s bracket while WE moves to the upper round 2.
While Bilibili Gaming had a shaky performance yesterday, Knight was constantly on point. When every piece was falling apart, he was the main reason the fort held.
These two teams will continue their LPL Split 2 playoffs next week! Team WE faces Anyone’s Legend on June 1st, while Bilibili Gaming goes up against EDward Gaming on June 3rd.
Featured image source: Team WE
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