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A Sketchy Victory: JDG vs BLG - LPL Playoffs Recap
The LPL first seed was almost caught off guard by the momentum BLG had been able to build for themselves. This series provided some great individual highlights from both Ruler and Elk, as well as some unique drafts. We even got to see Xun play his signature Kindred pick. JDG won in five games and now move on to face the winner of EDG vs. OMG.
JD GAMING vs. BILIBILI GAMING (3-2)
GAME 1:
JDG's game plan was obviously to get Ruler really far ahead, but Kanavi spending so much time bot-side allowed BLG to get Bin a few kills on his Gwen. BLG were in firm control of the game until JDG won some important objective fights. Knight was able to stun the carries of BLG with his Annie and quickly flipped the game on it's head. While BLG got ahead early, JDG's team composition allowed for easy objective control. A Baron fight at 34:00 decided the game. BLG were able to get the buff, but lost the subsequent team fight. JDG aced them and ended the game.
GAME 2:
This game provided an interesting draft phase. JDG didn't respect Xun's Kindred which is usually banned in every game he's playing in. BLG took this opportunity to draft a beautiful team composition featuring Galio and Kennen. The team played around the Kindred marks really well in the early game but things got hairy when Xun took things a bit too far. He tried to make some plays that fell short giving JDG a way back into the game. But Bin and Elk bailed BLG out and won them the game.
GAME 3:
JDG attempted some early dives but they weren't executed as well as you'd like and BLG got an early kill onto Yagao's Veigar. Knight played a lot better in this game, getting a few early kills on his Jayce pick, and dealing some heavy poke damage at the objectives. But JDG made a sketchy dive call at 23:00 which single-handedly lost them the game. Elk's Xayah was incredibly strong after that and he brought the series to a Game 4.
GAME 4:
BLG made the mistake of giving Ruler his signature Zeri pick. Bin continued to destroy 369 in the top lane but it didn't matter as 369 was playing Sion. He had a massive impact at the objective fights with his Sion ultimates, where as Bin had a rough time trying to convert his lead into anything. JDG won the Hextech Soul fight and proceeded to end the game at a swift 25:00.
GAME 5:
In the final game of the series, BLG whipped out Xun's Kindred again alongside a well though-out Galio and Camille combo. Once again, the underdogs dominated the early game helping Xun get his marks. But a split-fight at 29:00, began to show that Ruler's Jinx was going to be an issue of BLG wanted to close the game out. While BLG was taking the Cloud Soul, JDG cross-mapped and picked up the Baron. When BLG came to see if they could contest, JDG turned on them a won the team fight thanks to Kanavi's Wukong. They had a wave, were able to walk down mid, and end the game. While JDG won the series 3-2, you can't help but feel like BLG dropped the ball.
Image Sources: Riot Games / LoL Esports