LPL Spring 2025 Preview: Bilibili Gaming vs Invictus Gaming
As the LPL’s Split 2 (Spring) playoffs approach, Bilibili Gaming (BLG) and Invictus Gaming (IG) clash in an Upper Bracket quarterfinal on May 31. Both teams enter this match on strong form. BLG has strung together impressive wins: after dispatching Weibo Gaming 2–1 and sweeping Top Esports 2–0 in recent weeks, they also edged FunPlus Phoenix 2–1 (28–13, 26–27, 14–10) on May 3. IG, meanwhile, has its own momentum, notably a 2–0 sweep of FPX (with TheShy dealing 41.5k damage over two games) and a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Team WE. Key contributors have shone: BLG’s veteran AD carry Elk earned series MVP honors vs. TES, while IG’s TheShy has been dominant in the top lane, driving their win over WE with aggressive play.
| Team | Series W–L (Ascend) | Game Differential (Ascend) |
|---|---|---|
Top Esports (TES) | 15–3 | +16 |
Anyone’s Legend (AL) | 13–5 | +14 |
JD Gaming (JDG) | 12–6 | +14 |
Bilibili Gaming (BLG) | 12–6 | +11 |
Invictus Gaming (IG) | 10–8 | +3 |
Table: Final Group Ascend standings for LPL 2025 Split 2.
In the Group Ascend stage, BLG finished tied for 3rd (12–6) and IG was 5th (10–8). This strong positioning earned both clubs spots in the playoffs. BLG’s 2–6 record (with a current 2-game win streak) outpaces IG’s 1–1 close (they dropped their last match), reflecting BLG’s slight edge in league form.
Head-to-Head History
These teams have already met twice this split. On April 6 in the Ascend group, BLG dominated IG 2–0 (game scores 29–20 and 33–20). More recently, on May 21, they played another Bo3 in Group Ascend: BLG again prevailed 2–1, winning games 1 and 3 (17–7, 7–26, 13–10). In short, BLG holds a 2–0 series advantage this season, and IG has yet to beat them in 2025.
| Date | Event (Stage) | Result |
|---|---|---|
Apr 6, 2025 | LPL Split 2 Ascend | BLG 2–0 IG (29–20, 33–20) |
May 21, 2025 | LPL Split 2 Ascend | BLG 2–1 IG (17–7, 7–26, 13–10) |
Table: Head-to-head series in 2025. BLG won both meetings this year.
Playoff Implications
This matchup is an Upper Bracket Quarterfinal (Phase 2, Bo5). The winner advances in the winners’ bracket toward the semifinals, while the loser drops to the lower bracket and faces elimination pressure. In practical terms, a BLG victory would earn them a safer path toward the finals, whereas an IG win would reverse the roles. Both teams are fighting not only for a shot at the Split 2 title but also for the favorable seed and momentum it brings. (Top 2 LPL teams qualify for MSI, so the ultimate champion here will secure that international berth.)
Prediction