With only two days remaining in the group stage of the LOL Asia Invitational, JDG, who was dominated by DK in their opening match, achieved their first victory by sweeping WBG 2-0 in an intra-group battle. At this point, all teams in Group A except GAM have at least one win. In Group B, MVKE was also blanked 2-0 by NS, unable to fight back at all. With two wins, NS has essentially locked in a playoff berth.

The most anticipated match before the tournament was definitely NIP versus BFX, a showdown between China and Korea. Everyone already knows the outcome: like JDG, NIP was completely dominated by the LCK team, failing to win a single game. However, NIP lasted longer in this BO3, losing after 68 minutes (compared to JDG’s 57 minutes against DK). Let’s briefly review the match to see how NIP lost.

NIP’s loss in the first game was unfortunate. Early on, Leave fell behind 0-2, and despite the disastrous start, NIP clawed back through team fights. By the 30-minute mark, the economy was still even. NIP controlled the dragons well, securing the Infernal Soul at 34 minutes after winning a team fight. Just when everyone thought they were safe, a crucial fight saw the duo hit by Orianna’s ultimate, losing their fighting ability, and full-health Doinb was instantly killed.

A 1-for-4 exchange allowed BFX to complete the comeback. They pushed forward tightly grouped in blind vision, which really excited the audience. The second game also started with a big advantage for BFX. Leave used a clever tactic playing Maokai in the bot lane; although he was dove in under three minutes, NIP managed a 1-for-2 trade and Solokill secured a solo kill in the top lane. Despite gaining the lead, NIP gave up some chances mid-game, allowing the situation to even out.

By the 27-minute mark, the 6-0 weapon was nearly unstoppable, but in the team fight, they did nothing and gave it away for free. Without the weapon, NIP’s sustained damage was insufficient, leading to another team fight collapse and their base was destroyed. From these two games, NIP played well in early and mid phases but faltered in the late game. Honestly, if Solokill had split-pushed, LPL might have at least taken one small victory.

With NIP’s defeat, LPL’s record against LCK in this Invitational stands at 0-2 in series and 0-4 in games. Two more China-Korea clashes remain: WBG vs DK and NIP vs NS. Since NIP can’t even beat BFX, they won’t beat NS either. The all-Chinese roster Weibo Gaming is probably the last hope. If they lose to DK as well, LPL will end this Invitational without a single win against LCK.

Previously, our region’s fans believed LPL could only lose to the top four teams and easily beat the lower ones. But after the Invitational started, that notion was shattered. LPL’s fifth-ranked team was crushed by LCK’s fifth-ranked team like a bot. In the playoff battle for the last spot, LPL was again dominated by LCK. In terms of strength, the gap between LPL and LCK has become a chasm, completely insurmountable.

Including the Rift Rivals, Mid-Season Invitational, and the Oil Cup, LPL’s record against LCK this year is 2 wins and 8 losses. Only AL has beaten LCK; the rest of the teams haven’t won a single game. To claim this year as the most promising would be self-deception. Both top-tier and second-tier teams from the two regions have a huge gap. If DK joined LPL, they would likely place in the top three easily.

Conclusion:

Weibo can’t even beat JDG, so winning against DK seems unrealistic. LPL is likely to be swept 0-4 by LCK in this Invitational, possibly failing to win even a single game. If that happens, it would be extremely embarrassing. Hopefully, Weibo can adjust their form and at least win one game, or else the shame would be immense.

So, what do you think? Can Xiaohu beat Xu Ge?

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