NIP0-2 lost to NS and failed to advance to the playoffs! Ueno made numerous critical mistakes, leaving WBG as the only LPL team to reach the knockout stage.

During the BO3 match at the Asian Invitational, NIP faced NS and lost 0-2 after two battles, thus failing to qualify for the playoffs. Of the three teams from the Asian Invitational—JDG, WBG, and NIP—only WBG progressed. Conversely, the LCK region’s BFX, NS, and DK all made it through to the playoffs.

In the first game, NS picked Excavator top, Xin Zhao jungle, Kassadin mid, and Aphelios with Alistar bot; NIP chose Anivia top, Qiyana jungle, Ryze mid, and Jhin with Bard bot. During laning, NIP’s bot lane killed Kingen’s Excavator, and doinb’s Ryze secured first blood. Early on, NIP took down the first tower bot and two dragons, while NS pushed down two towers top, leaving their economies roughly even.

In the mid-game fight over Elder Drake, NS’s Xin Zhao secured it, but NIP won a teamfight decisively with a 2-for-4 trade and then claimed the Infernal Soul. At 27 minutes, both teams contested Baron; NIP killed NS’s Alistar first, but Jiwoo’s Aphelios cleaned up with a pentakill, leading to NS wiping NIP. Later at 30 minutes, NS took a dragon; Siwoo’s Aphelios mistakenly died after recalling, allowing NIP to get a 3-for-0 trade and attempt to end the game. However, Jiwoo’s Aphelios revived and killed three NIP members, securing NS the first Baron. At 35 minutes, both fought over the Ancient Dragon; doinb’s Ryze was caught out, NIP’s two carries were eliminated, and NS won a 2-for-3 exchange to claim the first game victory.

In the second game, NIP picked Renekton top, Jarvan jungle, Akali mid, and Aphelios with Rell bot; NS went with Sion top, Wukong jungle, Orianna mid, and Kai’Sa with Leona bot. The laning phase was back-and-forth; NS secured two dragons while NIP took Rift Herald. However, naiyou’s Jarvan made a mistake wasting the Herald’s potential, giving NS an early 1k gold lead.

At 20 minutes in the mid-game bot skirmish, doinb’s Akali was instantly killed upon entry, and leave’s Aphelios damage was insufficient. NS executed a flawless 5-for-0 teamwipe against NIP. At 23 minutes, NS secured the Earth Dragon Soul. Finally, at the base, NS’s Orianna ulted two targets, Sion initiated aggressively, and leave’s Aphelios was eliminated again. NS won a 4-for-0 fight and took the second game victory.

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