After their 2-1 victory over LGD Gaming last weekend, Weibo Gaming has become the first team to secure a spot in the LPL Spring 2022 playoffs. In the remaining two weeks of competition, SofM and his teammates will need to maintain their current top position, or at least finish in second place once the group stage concludes.
With a record of 10 wins and 2 losses, WBG is currently tied on points and game differential with Victory Five, while only 1 point ahead of Royal Never Give Up. With their excellent performance in defeating both WBG and EDward Gaming, the reigning MSI 2021 champions are closely trailing in the race for the top spot.
In the remaining two weeks of competition, RNG will only face teams from the lower ranks, with the toughest opponent likely being Oh My God, currently ranked 10th. Victory Five has a similar scenario with Bilibili Gaming being their only formidable opponent among the four teams.
In contrast, WBG will face teams fiercely competing for the playoffs like Top Esports, Rare Atom, and JD Gaming. Therefore, the chance of SofM and his teammates losing their top 2 position is quite high.
With the playoff format in the LPL in recent seasons, the top 1 and 2 teams after the group stage will have a significant advantage as they will advance directly to round 4 and wait for teams from the lower bracket to “climb the tower” to face them. Furthermore, even if they lose their first BO5 match in this round, the top 1 and 2 teams will still have a chance to make a comeback in the lower bracket.
On the other hand, if they drop to positions 3-4, they will have to play an additional, intense BO5 match. Given the minimal difference in team strengths during this stage, avoiding an extra BO5 is incredibly valuable. Thus, this is the goal WBG needs to focus on in the remaining matches.
RNG and EDG are the two most prominent examples of the advantages of finishing the group stage in the top 2 and reaching round 4 of the playoffs. Both teams lost in their first BO5 match but then capitalized on their opportunities in the lower bracket to secure three consecutive victories and ultimately claim the LPL title in 2021.
The LPL playoffs are considered the most grueling among League of Legends tournaments worldwide. The reality is that teams starting their climb from the lower bracket tend to struggle in decisive matches. Having to play more BO5 matches can reveal a team’s strategies, making it easier for opponents to counter them.
WBG will continue their journey to maintain the top position in week 8 against TES. This team is currently in high form, having secured six consecutive wins to rise to the upper half of the leaderboard. The match between WBG and TES will take place at 6 PM on March 13, according to Vietnam time, and is expected to be crucial in determining SofM and his teammates’ chances of claiming the title in LPL Summer 2022.