Unsurprisingly, one of the
LPLâs leading contenders this season will indeed attend the yearâs first international event.
secured their place at
First Stand 2026 on Wednesday after defeating
in the upper bracket final, though not without being pushed to their absolute limits in a five-game series.
After experiencing some turbulence during the regular season, BLG now appear firmly on course to reassert their dominance in the Chinese league. Having previously swept Ninjas in Pyjamas and Weibo Gaming, they were forced to dig deeper against a resilient JDG lineup. The efficency showed in the teamâs early games eventually got the best over their opponent.
The series began unfavorably for
and his teammates. Despite building a gold lead of over 8.5k, they saw
JDG claw their way back to claim the opening map, capitalizing on the Hextech Soul and the Elder Dragon. After BLG leveled the score, JDG regained the advantage in Game 3, notably through
âs impactful Olaf in the jungle. A dominant performance in Game 4 brought BLG back on even terms, setting up a decisive fifth map in which the support
surprised everyone with an Anivia pick. Exceptionally rare in professional playâonly its second appearance in a major league and its first in the LPLâthe selection proved instrumental, allowing BLG to edge out JDG in the final moments.
Imperious in Game 5 on Kalista, AD Carry
secured his first qualification for an international event with his new team. At present, he is also the only player who competed at last yearâs First Stand to return this season, as all other participating teams from that edition have since been eliminated. Before traveling to Brazil, BLG will attempt to capture their fourth LPL title this Sunday. The second representative to join them at the First Stand and that will face them in the final will be determined between JD Gaming,
Anyoneâs Legends, and Weibo Gaming.
