BiliBili Gaming Secures LPL Grand Final Berth and "First Stand" Qualification After Thrilling Five-Game Comeback Against JD Gaming

BLG defeats JD Gaming 3-2 to reach the LPL Grand Final and qualify for First Stand 2026 in Brazil. Featuring ON's historic Anivia support pick.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 7:31 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Esports Insider

A Historic Comeback and Tactical Innovation in the LPL Playoffs

BiliBili Gaming (BLG) has officially cemented its place as a top-tier global contender for the 2026 season by qualifying for "First Stand," the first international League of Legends tournament of the year. The qualification came on the heels of a high-stakes 3-2 victory over JD Gaming (JDG) in the LPL Split 1 playoffs. The series culminated in a stunning tactical move by BLG support Luo ‘ON’ Wen-Jun, who locked in the LPL’s first-ever Anivia support in Game 5. The pick served as a direct counter to JDG’s Sivir-Renata Glasc bottom lane, using the Cryophoenix’s zone control to dictate the pace of teamfights and secure a sub-30-minute victory in the decider.

Navigating a Turbulent Start to the 2026 Season

The road to the Grand Final was not without significant obstacles for the reigning champions. Earlier in the 2026 regular season, BLG struggled to find a cohesive identity following the high-profile signing of star ADC Park ‘Viper’ Do-Hyeon. The integration process was further complicated by a reported dispute between star top laner Chen ‘Bin’ Ze-Bin and the team’s management. This internal friction led to Bin’s temporary departure from the active roster, forcing the promotion of academy player Yang ‘Wenbo’ Wen-Bo. However, the organization managed to resolve these issues just in time for a dominant playoff run, which included clean 3-0 sweeps over Ninjas in Pyjamas and Weibo Gaming.

The Road to São Paulo: Joining the International Elite

With their qualification locked, BLG becomes the seventh team confirmed for "First Stand," scheduled to take place in São Paulo, Brazil, from March 16th to March 22nd. They join a prestigious lineup that includes LCK Cup winners Gen.G and the LEC Versus champions G2 Esports. As the first of two representatives from the Chinese LPL, BLG enters the international stage with immense pressure to maintain the region's historical dominance. Their recent form suggests that the "Viper-led" era of BLG has finally stabilized, blending aggressive teamfighting with the innovative drafting that has long been a hallmark of the organization.