With only 7 days remaining in the third stage of the LCK group stage and 14 BO3 matches left, T1 achieved their 19th win this season by beating NS 2-1 on the last matchday. This win brought T1 and HLE level on points once more, with just a single point difference in their game scores (22 versus 21). The fight for second place is still open, though based on the remaining fixtures, T1 appears to have a better chance of securing that spot.

Both T1 and HLE have three matches left. T1 will face KT, a game they are expected to win easily. HLE will play NS, which also seems unlikely to lose. The key factor will be which team wins when they face GEN. If both lose, they remain tied, and the final showdown between the two will decide who takes second place in the legendary group. Recently, T1’s form has been clearly better than HLE’s, and they have a chance against GEN. Beating HLE should be straightforward.

Nuguri showed up at the arena to support DK.

On the same day in the LCK, another match featured the rising group’s DK versus DRX. The match went to three games, with DK ultimately winning. ShowMaker had an impressive combined score of 15-6-32 across the three games and was named MVP of the BO3. Although DK won, the match was honestly not very exciting, with both teams feeding each other. The final game lasted 20 minutes. The only comparable LPL matches with such a low-quality spectacle might be LNG versus TT or UP.

There was a small side story in this match: former DK top laner Nuguri appeared at the venue and was caught by the broadcast team. Nuguri was wearing a DK jersey, clearly there to support the team. However, he probably didn’t expect that his two former teammates have both declined in skill. Nuguri enlisted in the military in November last year, with a standard two-year service, so he likely hasn’t finished yet. His presence at the game was probably due to a leave.

RNG’s affiliated company has declared bankruptcy.

The veteran LPL powerhouse RNG gradually faded from the public eye after being eliminated in the second stage. Recently, during a Doinb livestream, it was revealed that a food delivery company intended to take over the club, but no progress has been made. Recently, RNG’s affiliated company "Shangrao Tiantong Culture" suddenly filed for bankruptcy, indicating that their debt problems have become insurmountable. It seems the club is nearing its end.

Once a major traffic driver for the LPL, RNG’s downfall is quite surreal. If they had just managed things properly without shady contract practices, they could have become the most profitable club in the LPL. Instead, management’s repeated poor decisions have ruined their reputation. Now, when fans see negative news about RNG, many can’t help but applaud, showing just how disastrously the management has acted over the years.

Beichuan’s agent calls out BLG.

After BLG lost to both T1 and IG, Beichuan’s agent revealed that jungle scrims were already rotating players. Originally, it was thought Beichuan might start, but BLG still trusted Shadou. When playing JDG, Shadou tried his best but his form noticeably declined compared to the second round. Seeing Shadou’s performance, Beichuan’s agent was frustrated that Beichuan wasn’t given a chance and openly criticized the team.

Some fans joked that Beichuan might be kept on the bench by BLG as a secret weapon for Worlds. Beichuan’s agent directly confronted management: “If the leadership thinks losing 3K gold at 33 minutes is acceptable, then so be it.” Honestly, these words are hard to swallow, but it’s good that the agent speaks up for the player. After all, Wei’s experience shows that staying silent only leads to being blamed unfairly by teammates.

Conclusion:

If RNG officially files for bankruptcy, we probably won’t see this team next year. Even if Meituan takes over, they likely won’t change the name since RNG is well-known worldwide. Beichuan hasn’t played this third stage yet, so it seems unlikely he will appear in the regular season. If Shadou’s form falters in the playoffs, Beichuan might still get a chance.

So, what do you think? Will RNG withdraw from the league?

Feel free to leave your thoughts and join the discussion!