by in
In one of the most highly anticipated matches of the 2024 League of Legends season, Gen.G clashed with Bilibili Gaming (BLG) in a thrilling Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) semi-final.
Both teams entered the tournament as top seeds, representing their respective regions with high expectations.
They met for the first time with the stakes sky-high: the winner would secure a spot in the grand final, while the loser would face a tough battle for redemption.
The series began with a strong showing from Bilibili Gaming, who dominated Gen.G in game one through superior mid-game fights and early aggression.
Confidence from this performance led BLG to give Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon his signature, Ahri, but Gen.G adapted quickly.
In game two, Chovy’s Yone and Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu’s Nidalee spearheaded a swift response, leading Gen.G to tie the series.
Game three saw Gen.G unleash a relentless onslaught, overwhelming BLG from the start and maintaining their lead throughout.
Despite BLG’s efforts, they couldn’t close the gold gap and challenge Gen.G’s dominance.
With the series at 2-1 in favour of Gen.G, game four began with the Chengdu crowd cheering for BLG.
Despite the local support and a valiant effort led by top-laner Bin, BLG could not withstand Gen.G’s relentless poke and damage.
Gen.G secured a 3-1 victory, booking their place in the grand final.
WELCOME TO THE #MSI2024 FINAL:@GenG win the series against @BilibiliGaming 3-1! pic.twitter.com/vQa6A54gIj
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) May 16, 2024
Standout performances came from Kim “Kiin” Gi-In and Kim “Peyz” Su-Hwan.
Kiin’s ability to absorb pressure and create space for his team, combined with Peyz’s high damage output—particularly his 42k damage in the fourth game—were pivotal in shifting the momentum in Gen.G’s favour.
Excellent jungle support ensured superior map control and objective securing, showcasing Gen.G’s strategic depth and adaptability.
BLG displayed potential with their aggressive play and objective control, particularly in their initial victory.
However, maintaining this level of performance proved challenging against Gen.G’s adaptive strategies and experience.
BLG now faces a critical trial in the lower bracket, awaiting the winner of the T1 vs. G2 Esports series.
Their path forward will require replicating the brilliance of their game one victory and sustaining it across multiple games against top-tier teams.
As the MSI approaches its climax, Gen.G stands poised to claim the title and extend their regional dominance to the international stage.
Their adaptability, strategic drafting, and team discipline make them formidable contenders.
Meanwhile, BLG must regroup and refocus for their lower bracket challenge, hoping to overcome inconsistencies and make a deep tournament run.
The upcoming matches will determine if BLG can secure a rematch with Gen.G or face elimination.
With the MSI coming to a close this weekend, the battleground has seen many casualties and few victors.
Gen.G’s strong intent to claim the international title puts them at the forefront of the action, while BLG’s journey continues with their resilience and determination being tested to the fullest.
