Weibo Gaming Outclasses NiP in LPL Season Split 2 Opener
Weibo Gaming secures a dominant victory over Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN in Game 1 of the LPK 2026 Season Split 2, led by Xiaohu's incredible Azir performance.
Top players by damage
The LPL 2026 Season Split 2 kicked off with a heavy-hitting clash between Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN and Weibo Gaming, and if Game 1 was any indication, the veterans are not here to play. While the pre-match analysis suggested that individual brilliance in the mid and bot lanes would decide the deadlock, it was Weibo Gaming that truly seized the narrative, turning a potentially even contest into a masterclass of macro control and teamfighting.
Key Takeaways
- Xiaohu delivered a legendary performance on Azir, posting a staggering 10.00 KDA and acting as the primary engine for Weibo's late-game dominance.
- Weibo Gaming secured a massive 9.3k gold lead over their opponents, effectively suffocating the NiP economy by the 40-minute mark.
- TheHank provided unparalleled utility on Karma, racking up a massive 17 assists to shield his carries from NiP's aggressive dives.
Early Game
The early stages of the match appeared to follow the pre-draft predictions, as both teams scrambled to establish their rhythm. Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN attempted to play aggressively, with Guwon on Qiyana looking to burst targets, managing to secure a 6/3/4 scoreline that initially looked threatening. However, the draft advantage for Weibo Gaming materialized almost immediately. While NiP struggled to find footing with an unconventional Anivia in the top lane, Weibo's Jiejie utilized Trundle to disrupt the jungle pathing, ensuring that the gold gap remained manageable.
The Turning Point
The momentum shifted irrevocably during the mid-game objective battles. Although Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN managed to secure 2 dragons, they were unable to contest the major neutral objectives. The turning point arrived when Weibo Gaming secured their first Baron, a move that allowed them to dismantle the NiP structures. Zika, playing a highly impactful Varus, began shredding through the frontline, while Elk on Ezreal maintained a massive 39.0% damage share, making it impossible for the NiP frontline to peel effectively.
Closing Out
As the game crossed the 40-minute mark, the sheer weight of Weibo's gold advantage became insurmountable. With 3 Barons and 9 towers under their belt, Weibo Gaming simply outscaled the NiP composition. The NiP bot lane, led by Assum on Lucian, struggled to find any meaningful impact, finishing with a disappointing 3/5/4 KDA. The game ended with Weibo Gaming standing tall, having converted their superior macro and teamfight execution into a decisive victory, leaving NiP to wonder how a game that started with such promise slipped so far away.
Match Stats
| Player | Team | Champion | Role | K/D/A | GoldDiff@15 | DMG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assum | Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN | Lucian | Bot | 3/5/4 | — | 34.8% |
| Guwon | Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN | Qiyana | Jungle | 6/3/4 | — | 22.8% |
| Care | Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN | Ryze | Mid | 2/4/3 | — | 15.7% |
| Zhuo | Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN | Milio | Support | 0/3/9 | — | 6.9% |
| HOYA | Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN | Anivia | Top | 1/6/2 | — | 19.9% |
| Elk | Weibo Gaming | Ezreal | Bot | 4/2/10 | — | 39.0% |
| Jiejie | Weibo Gaming | Trundle | Jungle | 6/2/10 | — | 11.1% |
| Xiaohu | Weibo Gaming | Azir | Mid | 6/1/4 | — | 21.7% |
| TheHank | Weibo Gaming | Karma | Support | 1/5/17 | — | 9.8% |
| Zika | Weibo Gaming | Varus | Top | 4/2/6 | — | 18.6% |
FAQ
Q: How did Xiaohu influence the outcome of the game?
Xiaohu's incredible 6/1/4 performance on Azir provided the necessary burst and zone control to prevent NiP from ever mounting a successful counter-attack.
Q: Did the pre-draft bans impact the game flow?
Yes, the bans on Ambessa and Ryze successfully prevented NiP from establishing the control-oriented rhythm they needed to survive the late-game scaling of Weibo.
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