The match between JD Gaming (JDG) and Bilibili Gaming (BLG) concluded with a victory for JDG. This result was completely predictable given the performances of both teams in their three previous encounters, from the domestic LPL Spring 2023 to the recently concluded MSI 2023. This victory also means that JDG is the champion of MSI 2023 and keeps this title within the LPL for another year.
However, the draft phases of JDG and BLG in the match truly caught the audience’s attention. In their games, JDG and BLG also utilized champions like Jayce and Gwen, or allowed their opponents to secure Zeri, Lulu… Perhaps many still remember that these were the same drafts that T1 made in their previous match against BLG. Notably, Jayce was the champion Faker used in game 2 of the match against BLG.
Witnessing Knight and Yagao use Jayce to dominate their opponents, or Bin’s outstanding performance with Gwen and how JDG countered BLG’s Annie – Lulu, many fans recognized the primary reason for T1’s failure. It wasn’t just about the draft or T1 failing to keep up with the changes in gameplay; it was simply that T1 did not match the form and caliber of JDG at this MSI.
It is evident in all four games of the finals that JDG allowed ON from BLG to use Lulu twice, resulting in BLG’s two losses. Additionally, Knight’s Annie in game 2 was dominated by Yagao’s Jayce. In game 4, Knight continued to use Jayce against Yagao’s Sylas. This matchup was also seen in the T1 – BLG match, where Faker played Jayce and Yagao played Sylas. However, the outcome was completely different as Knight had no trouble defeating Yagao. Even when BLG used Kha’Zix, they did not present the same challenges to JDG in terms of vision control as T1 did in their lower bracket matchup.
The champions mentioned above (Lulu, Jayce, Kha’Zix, and Annie) are all names that led to T1’s failure specifically and the two LCK representatives (along with Gen.G) in general at this MSI. It can be said that LCK remains the top region in League of Legends. However, in this MSI, LPL has simply outperformed LCK completely, in terms of mentality, skill, and player form.