The LPL Third Stage group stage's first week is halfway done. On the previous matchday, WE took down LGD with ease for their second victory, while TES also triumphed over TT, albeit with some difficulty, securing a second consecutive win. In the Summit Group, AL, TES, and BLG all remain unbeaten. With JDG dropping off, WE moved into fourth place. Of the three teams that came up from the Rebirth Group, only LGD has claimed a win so far.

IG and Weibo in the Rebirth Group also had their debuts on the same day. After WBG won the first game, IG turned the tables with a 2-1 comeback. TheShy, back on the stage, maintained excellent form, completely outplaying Zika and earning the POM award. His intense ranked practice during the break clearly paid off. Zika really looked shaky, unable to even hold his ground against the aging Shy. Weibo's lineup this year is indeed luxurious, but their performance is quite disappointing.

Rookie attacked offline by fans

If they can even crush Weibo, IG has a solid chance in the Knight's Path as long as they stabilize. The remaining two teams, LNG and NIP, are no match, so IG might even go on a 6-game winning streak to advance. After the match against Weibo, IG's mid laner Rookie was attacked offline by fans. A female fan blocked him at the back door and asked, "Rookie, are you even a man?" Wow, going face-to-face after a win is a bit extreme.

Rookie getting scolded was somewhat expected, given his situation with Xiaoyu—he was indeed in the wrong. However, having the courage to come back and play despite the controversy shows some backbone. Getting criticized even after a win means he'll be relentlessly roasted if he loses. But as a veteran, he should be able to handle the mental aspect. Hopefully, the off-field drama won't affect his performance. First, let's secure a spot in the Knight's Path.

Angel reveals Bin's current situation

While BLG has secured two consecutive wins, they are still in contact with Hoya. According to a tipster, the two teams have reached a verbal agreement, but it's not yet certain if the deal will be signed. If they do bring in Hoya, Bin's chances of returning this stage are very slim. After all, Wenbo is performing well, and with Hoya as a substitute, the top lane can be swapped if someone underperforms, so Bin's presence is no longer necessary.

After leaving the base, Bin seems to have given up a bit. Angel recently revealed during a stream that Bin has been staying at an esports hotel, playing "Ship" (a maritime Werewolf game). Checking Bin's Korean server account, he hasn't played any ranked games since the 11th. Is he really giving up on himself? But "Ship" is a game that heavily relies on teamwork. Maybe by playing more, Bin can understand what it means to be a team player.

T1 kicks off LCK opener

The LCK's Third Stage starts in three days. The format is similar to the LPL: ten teams split into two groups. T1, HLE, DK, GEN, and KT are in the Legend Group, while BRO, NS, KRX, DNS, and BFX are in the Rise Group. The group stage will feature a double round-robin Bo3. The top four in the Legend Group advance directly to the playoffs, while the bottom two are eliminated. The remaining four teams will compete for playoff spots.

In terms of the schedule, the first matchday features the Telecom Derby: T1 vs. KT. Based on the announced starting lineups, neither team has made any roster changes. It's uncertain whether T1 has regained their form. If they're in the same state as during the Mid-Season Cup and the EWC, they might not be able to beat KT. The other match on the same day is NS vs. KRX, which should be a straightforward win for Scout, most likely.

Conclusion:

Bin hasn't gone home or returned to the base; he's staying at an esports hotel every day, which is really hard to watch. If he just swallowed his pride and lowered his head, he could rejoin the team. Even if he doesn't start, he could still build relationships with his teammates. But his ego is too high, and it's unclear whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Hopefully, this period of trial will help him grow and mature.

So, do you think Bin will go back?

Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!