After three epic series in the Bracket Stage of MSI 2023, it was time for the last two teams to fight, as JD Gaming and Golden Guardians took to Summoner’s Rift.
headline photo courtesy of Golden Guardians
After Golden Guardians made a fantastic lower bracket run through the Play-In Stage of the Mid-Season Invitational 2023, which included a flawless dismantling of PSG Talon, they were hoping to continue their run with a victory over JD Gaming. However, having been victorious in the LPL Spring 2023 event, JDG was never going to be an easy task for the LCS Spring 2023 runners-up.
As we went into the series, it was clear that GG was not about to just roll over to a stronger opponent, as they took the game to JDG. But, as time went on, JDG began to pull ahead and eventually claimed game one. It was game two where we saw the true might of GG coming out, with some amazing early game plays to put themselves in a solid lead. However, much like they often do, GG was unable to hold onto that lead beyond the mid-game, and even though they made some brilliant moves, the masters of the LPL were too much for them to handle.
With a 2-0 lead, JDG were in full control and GG were left to pick up the pieces. With their backs against the wall and the lower bracket looming, GG decided to counter the game three Kha’zix pick with a Rengar. Once again, although GG found some fantastic moves in the early game, they could not make anything stick. River’s Rengar missed the mark completely, running into fights which were unwinnable by himself. Once they had Baron on their backs, JDG could not be stopped, as they secured a clean 3-0 victory to move forward in the upper bracket.
With that, the first stage of the MSI 2023 Bracket Stage comes to an end, with JDG joining Bilibili Gaming, T1, and Gen.G Esports in the semi-finals. For Golden Guardians, the lower bracket will give them another chance at becoming champions as they take on Cloud9 for their tournament lives in the next round.
