WBG1-2 lost to NS and dropped into the losers' bracket! The Caitlyn-Spider combo underperformed, allowing NS an easy victory.

During the Asian Invitational knockout BO3 between WBG and NS, the match went the distance with three games, and NS won 2-1 to move forward! WBG was sent to the losers' bracket, retaining a chance to come back.

In the first game, WBG fielded Aphelios top, Jarvan jungle, Galio mid, with Aphelios and Alistar bot; NS played Rumble top, Vi jungle, Renekton mid, and Yuumi with Janna bot. The laning phase was a back-and-forth battle with nearly equal early-game economy.

Mid-game, a skirmish broke out top lane, where Kingen’s Rumble ultimate split the fight and Jiwoo’s Yuumi dealt massive damage. NS secured a 3-for-0 trade, though Tian’s Jarvan stole the Rift Herald. At 25 minutes, WBG initiated Baron, but NS’s Renekton killed Light’s Aphelios. Despite WBG taking the first Baron, Lehends’ Neeko started a fight that led to NS wiping out WBG. At 28 minutes, NS secured the dragon soul. Later, at 32 minutes, a river fight saw Breathe’s Aphelios dive onto Jiwoo’s Yuumi, with Xiaohu’s Galio ultimate joining in and Tian’s Jarvan ult hitting three players. WBG wiped NS and claimed their second Baron. Finally, at 40 minutes during the Elder Dragon fight, Lehends’ Neeko engaged and ulted four players, but Breathe’s Aphelios targeted Jiwoo’s Yuumi. After a 1-for-1 exchange, NS took the Elder Dragon, but Xiaohu’s Galio performed flawlessly, enabling WBG to pull off a miraculous team wipe and secure the first game win. The highest damage dealer in game one was Kingen’s Rumble, with Xiaohu’s Galio leading damage for WBG.

In the second game, NS chose Sion top, Nocturne jungle, Orianna mid, with Kai’Sa and Taric bot; WBG went with Aatrox top, Lee Sin jungle, Ryze mid, and Xayah with Braum bot. The laning phase was competitive, with Jiwoo’s Kai’Sa starting strong at 3-0, giving NS a 1,000 gold lead early on.

Mid-game, both teams fought over the Rift Herald, which NS secured. Calix’s Orianna solo killed Xiaohu’s Ryze, and NS executed a perfect 5-for-0 team wipe on WBG. At 23 minutes, during a dragon contest, Tian’s Lee Sin was solo killed by Jiwoo’s Kai’Sa, and NS dominated the team fight, finishing the game with a decisive push. Jiwoo’s Kai’Sa was awarded MVP.

In the third game, WBG picked Jax top, Sejuani jungle, Swain mid, with Caitlyn and Elise bot; NS responded with Gnar top, Trundle jungle, Taliyah mid, and Jinx with Rell bot. At 6 minutes, Tian’s Sejuani secured a kill, but Lehends’ Rell barely escaped with low health, while Light’s Caitlyn died under tower pressure, giving NS first blood. NS then destroyed the first top tower and three outer turrets, while WBG secured one dragon. NS led the early game economy by 5,000 gold.

Mid-game, both teams contested the Rift Herald again, with NS’s jungler securing it. At 25 minutes, NS initiated Baron, and although Tian’s Sejuani failed to steal it, NS took the Baron and wiped out four WBG players, clinching the second game victory.

So, what are your thoughts on this match? Feel free to share and discuss in the comments below.