The identity of the final team qualified for the
First Stand is now known. Following their 3–0 victory over
this Saturday in the
LPL lower-bracket final,
have secured their place at their first international competition since
Worlds 2023. After
falling to Bilibili Gaming in a five-game series earlier this week, JDG will now have the opportunity to seek revenge in the LPL grand final this weekend.
Having convincingly—and somewhat surprisingly—eliminated
in the previous round, Weibo Gaming were unable to replicate that performance against JDG. During the regular season, Weibo had in fact prevailed in both of their head-to-head meetings. However, with JDG significantly elevating their level since the start of the playoffs, the multiple-time LPL champions proved untouchable in this series.
Dominant throughout the opening two games, JDG quickly took control of the series thanks in large part to the duo of
and
, who clearly outperformed their respective counterparts. JunJia claimed MVP honors in both of the first two games, while the pair consistently dictated the pace of team fights, particularly around key objectives, leaving Weibo with little opportunity to respond. Although Game 3 featured slightly more resistance from Weibo, as well as a few mistakes from JDG, it ultimately proved to be the quickest game of the series—highlighted by a decisive performance from
on Yorick.
Since 2023—the year JDG came within reach of completing the so-called Golden Road—the organization had not returned to international competition. After making four roster changes during the offseason and appointing Wong “Tabe” Pak-kan as Head Coach, a figure renowned for helping players reach new levels of performance, JDG now return to the global stage with renewed ambitions, both internationally and within the LPL.
Formerly part of
CTBC Flying Oyster last year, JunJia and hongQ have once again qualified for the First Stand and are among three players to achieve the feat alongside
. JunJia experienced an uneven start to the season, committing several errors during the regular split, but has appeared revitalized since the beginning of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the young Taiwanese prodigy hongQ has lived up to expectations in his first LPL campaign, delivering several decisive performances for his team.
