The LPL Second Stage loser bracket final is over. BLG and WE clashed again, going all five games. In the end, BLG beat WE 3-2 to reach the finals and claim the LPL's second Mid-Season Invitational slot. This BO5 outcome was really surprising. As before, everyone believed that against BLG once more, WE would be lucky to take a single game, since their strategies were well understood.

But a dark horse is a dark horse. Even with their playstyle exposed, WE still managed to win two games against BLG. In the decisive game, they even built huge advantages in both top and bottom lanes early on. Unfortunately, their teamfighting was a bit lacking, and they ultimately lost the match in regret. Although they didn't make it to MSI, WE finishing in the top three is still an honorable defeat. If they review carefully, there's room for improvement in the Third Stage.

In this match, BLG's jungler and AD were really underperforming. Xun was a bit better—he had both bad and good moments—but Viper was truly outrageous. In all five games, his bot lane was suppressed in the early phase, even with strong combos like Caitlyn + Elise. Not playing well in the early game was one thing, but in mid-to-late teamfights, he kept dying and giving away opportunities. If his teammates hadn't bailed him out, he would have been heavily criticized after the match.

In the decisive game, his teammates had such a huge advantage that he managed to get 3-0 just by going with the flow in teamfights. Even in a game where he could have carried, he still threw away several leads. If Bin and Knight hadn't held it together, the match outcome might have been different. So this entire BO5, he was really just riding on his team's coattails—and not even doing that well. It's no exaggeration to say he coasted into MSI. It feels like if any other AD had played, BLG would still have made it to the Mid-Season Invitational.

The final BO5 of the playoffs is TES vs. BLG. Since BLG won the First Stand championship in the First Stage, both teams have already qualified for the MSI main event. The result of this match only affects the championship title and World Championship points. After seeing BLG's performance against WE, it's hard to say they are guaranteed to win. JackeyLove's skill is several tiers above About's. If Viper remains in this form, he's likely to be spun around like a top.

After the loser bracket final, TES also went to the match venue to exchange trash talk with BLG players. The banter between Xiao Cream and coach Poppy was quite entertaining. Xiao Cream taunted Bin to his face:"They say liars grow long noses. It seems Bin isn't very satisfied with his own nose, huh?"this joke referencing a foreign tale cracked up Guan Daye and Wang Lao'er, but Bin seemed not to get the point.

Xiao Cream's words referenced the fairy tale "Pinocchio," where Pinocchio's nose grows when he lies. In real life, it usually refers to someone who habitually lies. Applied to the esports scene, it implies that Bin's reputation score is too low. Truly, Xiao Cream is the first man in the LPL daring to challenge Bin's integrity head-on—he's got guts. But this year, Bin's reputation score isn't really that low, is it?

TES head coach Poppy also joined the trash talk session to tease BLG:"We, TES, are taking tomorrow's championship first. If you also want one, I can use my status as an industry coach to award you one."Wow, roasting himself with his own meme—who could keep a straight face? Daeny couldn't help but laugh after hearing the translation. To be honest, the phrase "industry champion" is truly absurd.

Conclusion:

Trash talk is meant for entertainment, so fans of both teams don't need to argue over these things. The focus should be on the championship match. After this game, Viper will definitely be scolded by the coach when he gets back. Hopefully, he can adjust his form, because if the bot lane gets crushed again, the audience will really criticize him.

So, who do you think will win the championship, BLG or TES?

Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!