PGC NEWS

Suning Gaming’s (SN) recent winning streak, spearheaded by jungler Lê “SofM” Quang Duy, came to an abrupt end at the hands of reigning LPL champions, JD Gaming (JDG), in a decisive 2-0 victory for JDG.

The match showcased a clash of titans, pitting SofM’s aggressive jungle prowess against JDG’s strategic team fighting and individual brilliance. While SN demonstrated moments of brilliance, JDG ultimately proved too formidable, capitalizing on SN’s missteps and securing a convincing win.

Game 1: Loken’s Ezreal Shines

In the draft phase of Game 1, SN prioritized SofM’s comfort, banning several of Kanavi’s signature champions and securing Graves, the champion that fueled their recent demolition of WE. SofM quickly repaid this faith, collaborating with SwordArt in a perfectly executed roam to secure first blood against JDG’s top laner.

SofM secures first blood

Leveraging a split-push composition centered around Twisted Fate, SN accumulated a 5,000 gold lead over the reigning champions. However, JDG’s superior team fighting prowess allowed them to claw their way back into the game.

JDG’s victory was ultimately sealed by Kim “LokeN” Ha-ram’s exceptional Ezreal play. His consistent poke damage whittled down SN’s frontline, creating an opening for JDG to engage and dismantle their opponents. The loss of Baron subsequently cemented JDG’s Game 1 triumph.

LokeN's Ezreal dominates

Game 2: JDG’s Individual Prowess Takes Center Stage

Game 2 saw SofM once again piloting Graves, but this time, SN’s early game faced significant challenges. Chen “Bin” Ze-Bin’s predictable warding patterns provided Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok’s Lee Sin with easy ganks, resulting in first blood for JDG.

Early game struggles for SN

While SofM successfully countered with a jungle invade, securing a kill against Kanavi, Bin continued to struggle, falling prey to Zhang “Zoom” Xing-Ran’s Ornn in a solo kill. Despite SN’s attempts to regain control, JDG’s team fighting proved too strong. Each member of JDG showcased their individual brilliance, dismantling SN’s composition and securing the first Baron of the game.

Zoom's Ornn outplays Bin

SN found a glimmer of hope in a crucial Baron fight, where Tang “huanfeng” Huan-Feng and SofM combined to take down three JDG members. However, a failed base race attempt, hampered by a lack of minions, proved costly, allowing LokeN to clean up the remaining SN members upon respawning.

SN's Baron steal attempt

The final blow came from Zeng “Yagao” Qi’s Zoe, as SN’s attempt to focus him left them vulnerable to LokeN’s devastating damage, securing JDG’s victory.

Conclusion: A Setback, But Not a Defeat

While the loss against the reigning champions stings, SN’s performance this season remains promising. Their aggressive playstyle, centered around SofM’s dynamic jungling, has proven effective against many top LPL teams. This setback against JDG serves as a valuable learning experience, highlighting areas for improvement as they continue their journey through the LPL Summer Split.