Buzz
(Homeland) - LPL spectators display muted excitement despite JDG representing the region at MSI 2023.
On the matchday of May 14th, the final two games of Round 2 in the MSI 2023 Knockout Stage unfolded. The outcomes held no surprises, with higher-rated teams securing victories. Golden Guardians bid farewell to the tournament, leaving only Bilibili Gaming as the survivor from the Play-In stage.
Notably, in the three game series against BLG, Marksman Ruler secured 35 takedowns, only falling five times, and accumulated 32 support points. Ruler and Knight's excellence allowed JDG to dominate completely against BLG. Particularly, in all three matches, Ruler outperformed the young BLG opponent right from the laning phase.
However, JDG's ascent fueled by the trio Kanavi - Knight - Ruler has left many LPL fans disheartened. One shared opinion: 'In all three matches, 369 and Missing didn't stand out more than Bin and ON. But JDG still won thanks to Kanavi, Knight, and especially Ruler playing exceptionally well. Comparatively, domestic Marksman Elk's baffling team-blocking moves contrast sharply with the feeling that every move by Ruler can destroy BLG.'
Indeed, LPL fans have long awaited a representative with all five members being domestic players to dominate international tournaments. The team most capable of achieving this, Royal Never Give Up (RNG), has historically dominated MSI. However, RNG did not participate this year, and Elk with BLG has shown that they haven't found a truly reliable Marksman since JackeyLove and GALA's decline in form.
Relying on the performance of foreign players from the land of morning calm doesn't appease LPL fans. JDG might clinch the MSI title with a stellar display, but true satisfaction for LPL fans would likely come only if an all-domestic team secures victory.
