Can JD Gaming Complete Their Epic Cinderella Run Against Invictus Gaming?
Spring is the season of surprises in the world of sports. From March Madness in the U.S. to the Champions League in Europe, unexpected events are a common occurrence during this time. However, nothing compares to the incredible run that JD Gaming (JDG) has been on in China’s LPL (League of Legends Pro League).
JDG entered the LPL playoffs as the eighth seed, which in itself was surprising. But what followed was even more astonishing. They managed to upset Team WE, shockingly beat RNG, and pulled off an absolute mind-blowing victory against the first seed team, Fun Plus Phoenix (FPX), in a decisive game five.
Now, JDG only has one more hurdle to overcome on their path to glory and potential immortality: the world champions, Invictus Gaming (IG). If they manage to emerge victorious against IG, it would solidify their status as the greatest Cinderella story in the history of League of Legends esports.
Zoom and Yagao: Rising from the Ashes
To fully understand the improbability of JDG’s current run, let’s go back to before the season began. Last summer, we labeled JD Gaming as one of the top teams in China. They were known for their exciting gameplay, willingness to fight, and their ability to challenge the best teams in the region.
However, things took a turn for the worse during the playoffs when they were defeated by none other than IG. But that was just the beginning of their troubles. In the off-season, they lost their star jungler, Kim “Clid” Tae-min, to SK Telecom T1, and their team owner was embroiled in a sex scandal.
Despite these setbacks, JDG started the split on a strong note, primarily thanks to the exceptional performances of their top laner, Zhang “Zoom” Xing-Ran, and mid laner, Zeng “Yagao” Qi. In fact, they even managed to defeat IG in a revenge match during week two.
This season, JDG has relied heavily on Zoom, putting him on aggressive champions that allow him to create early pressure. Even in critical moments, such as in the decider against FPX, they trusted Zoom’s ability to excel on unconventional picks like Gangplank and it paid off.
However, JDG will face a new level of challenge against IG, a team that they haven’t encountered yet in these playoffs. IG took their time to find their form after winning Worlds, allowing their players to experiment and rotating their top laners. Despite this, they still managed to secure second place at the end of the split, showcasing their exceptional skills and abilities.
Compared to IG, JDG cannot yet claim that Zoom and Yagao are the best in their respective positions, both regionally and globally.
The Underdogs: Flawless and LvMao
Even if Zoom and Yagao can stand up to the relentless pressure from IG, it may not be enough for JDG to secure victory. IG’s success at Worlds was a result of a team effort where each player contributed. It was a level of coordinated play that had haunted many LPL teams before.
This is the same level of coordination that JDG has been developing within their team. However, if JDG wants to defeat IG, they will need their jungler, Sung “Flawless” Yeon-jun, and their support, Zuo “LvMao”Ming-Hao, to step up and make a significant impact in the playoffs.
Flawless has already proven himself against some of the best junglers in the region, particularly in his outstanding performance against RNG’s Hung “Karsa” Hua-hsuan. However, he struggled in the fifth game against FPX, and JDG was fortunate that FPX’s Baron setup was poorly executed. The immense pressure Flawless faced during this crucial moment was evident from his emotional reaction after the game.
While LvMao may seem like a defensive support during the laning phase, his true strength lies in his ability to keep his ADC, Gu “Imp” Seung-bin, alive. However, when it comes to late-game team fights, it is LvMao who takes charge and organizes the team. This was evident in their victory over FPX, a team known for their teamfighting capabilities.
If Zoom and Yagao can hold their ground against TheShy and Rookie, and if Flawless can channel his emotions into calculated jungle plays, JDG might have a chance at reaching the late game against IG. And when that crucial moment arrives, it will be up to LvMao to guide JDG to victory.
The series between JD Gaming and Invictus Gaming will kick off at 2:30am CT on April 21. It remains to be seen if JDG can defy the odds once again or if IG will crush their dreams and turn them into a mere pumpkin.