First Stand 2026 Match Review: It Goes the Distance But BLG Wins
The first series of First Stand featured Bilibili Gaming against FearX. An LPL Versus LCK match to kick off the tournament promises excitement. The series delivered in every way. It looked dire for BFX early on, but they fought back mid-way through the series. Ultimately, better drafting and gameplay from BLG in the final games earned them the First Stand series victory. It is the first time the LPL has won a best-of-series versus the LCK since 2024.
First Stand 2026: Game One Review
Draft
FearX – Blue Side
- Ambessa
- Vi
- Taliyah
- Kai’Sa
- Neeko
Bilibili Gaming – First Pick
- Jax
- Jarvan IV
- Ryze
- Varus
- Alistar
Horrible Early Game For BFX
VicLa has a tragic start to First Stand and loses lane at level 1. He loses both summoners and gives up First Blood. Xun guarantees that Clear dies to Bin. It gets even worse for BFX as BLG has a 2k gold lead with five kills at 7 minutes. Everyone, but Diable, has died, with VicLa dying twice. Bin grabs a solo kill on Clear.
The Mid-Game Explodes
Raptor goes in too far on the setup for the second Drake. He dies, and BLG uses the opportunity to dive the rest of BFX under their tower. Everyone on BFX dies, and Clear only barely gets a kill back on ON. BLG gets another ace after a BFX-initiated play. It starts with a kill on Knight, but the gold lead allows BLG to stomp the ensuing fight.
BFX’s Desperation Fails
BFX has two consecutive fights where they make a desperation pick. They do kill Viper and Xun once in each fight, but it does not matter. BLG slams them into the ground and wins the game.
Total Apex Ratings
Bilibili Gaming
- Bin – 9
- XUN – 9
- Knight – 9
- Viper – 8
- ON – 9
FearX
- Clear – 2
- Raptor – 3
- VicLa – 3
- Diable – 5
- Kellin – 4
Player of the game – Bin
First Stand 2026: Game Two Review
Draft
Bilibili Gaming – Blue Side
- Sion
- Pantheon
- Aurora
- Ezreal
- Nami
FearX – First Pick
- Renekton
- Naafiri
- Annie
- Jinx
- Karma
Raptor’s Early Pathing
Raptor tries his best to create chaos in the early game. He does not build an advantage, as most of his plays are unsuccessful. VicLa teleports back to try to help Raptor, but he dies at the hands of Knight. Xun returns to mid-lane to help Knight get a second kill.
Bot Lane is the Hope
Diable and Kellin bring their lethality from the LCK Cup. Diable earns two kills before Xun cleans up. The win-conditions for BFX are Drake stacking and Diable. Two elements that BFX are happy to play around with. Who can carry harder, Knight or Diable? BLG stop the Drake stacking after Diable dies for First Tower.
The First Stand Series is Alive
BFX comes alive in the series as they push for Bot Tower and kill three members. BFX builds the first lead of the series with another skirmish win in the mid-lane. Diable and Kellin die after being too far in the mid-lane. BLG takes away the Baron. BLG tries to catch Diable again. The dive fails, and Diable is free to earn the first First Stand pentakill and end the game.
Total Apex Ratings
Bilibili Gaming
- Bin – 4
- XUN – 5
- Knight – 7
- Viper – 4
- ON – 4
FearX
- Clear – 7
- Raptor – 6
- VicLa – 4
- Diable – 9
- Kellin – 8
Player of the game – Diable
First Stand 2026: Game Three Review
Draft
FearX – Blue Side
- K’Sante
- Nocturne
- Mel
- Ashe
- Seraphine
Bilibili Gaming – First Pick
- Rumble
- Wukong
- Ahri
- Zeri
- Yuumi
Another 2v2 Kill for Diable
Xun flanks around to the bot side. Diable and Kellin send it forward to kill Viper. Xun can clean up both Kellin and Diable, while ON lives on blinking health. Despite the kill for Diable, Viper is even in gold at 9:30.
Top Lane Cracks Open
Diable’s cross map Crystal Arrow lands on Bin. Clear and Raptor combine to kill Bin and secure four plates and the First Tower. Xun tries to respond, but all they get is a flash from Diable. The mid-game sees more trades from both teams, but the gold stays close.
BFX Sneak Baron
With the vision and positional advantage, BFX goes towards the Baron. They secure the objective. BLG tries to chase the Baron members, but it fails. Only Diable dies as VicLa secures four kills. On BFX’s Baron push, BLG finds the engagement. Three kills go to Viper for a win condition. The fight goes on for ages, and somehow, BFX emerges with the Drake. Bin uses Equalizer twice in the fight and is halfway to his third by the time it ends.
Chaos to End
Chaos ensues at 32 minutes as the fight is on a knife-edge in the mid-lane. Despite failed flashes and engages, BFX wins the teamfight to close out game three.
Total Apex Ratings
Bilibili Gaming
- Bin – 4
- XUN – 4
- Knight – 6
- Viper – 5
- ON – 5
FearX
- Clear – 8
- Raptor – 7
- VicLa – 8
- Diable – 7
- Kellin – 7
First Stand 2026: Game Four Review
Draft
FearX – Blue Side
- Gnar
- Trundle
- Galio
- Yunara
- Renata Glasc
Bilibili Gaming – First Pick
- Yorick
- Maokai
- LeBlanc
- Sivir
- Lulu
The Early Games in BLG’s Favor
VicLa dies for the First Blood kill once again. That translates into a dive from BLG on Clear. It gets worse as a skirmish on the top side goes to BLG. All of a sudden, BLG has a 2k gold lead at eight minutes.
The Mid-Game is Worse
BFX does their best to recover from the early-game deficit. The composition deficit and gold lead are insurmountable for BFX to overcome. The fourth game is looking similar to game one as BLG are in the advantage throughout. They win a fight at 21 minutes and secure the Baron. BFX has one desperate engagement, but it fails.
Total Apex Ratings
Bilibili Gaming
- Bin – 7
- XUN – 9
- Knight – 7
- Viper – 7
- ON – 9
FearX
- Clear – 4
- Raptor – 4
- VicLa – 4
- Diable – 5
- Kellin – 4
Player of the game – XUN
First Stand 2026: Game Five Review
Draft
FearX – Blue Side
- Kennen
- Lee Sin
- Zoe
- Jhin
- Rakan
Bilibili Gaming – Blue Side
- Jayce
- Poppy
- Morgana
- Caitlyn
- Camille
The Camille Support Impact
ON went for an early Flash+Ignite trade on Diable. Diable lives, and they kill ON as he tries to leave. Shortly after, he helps XUN secure Raptor’s red buff. He continues to help around the map to help BLG build a lead. More action ensues with each team earning kills.
Mid-Game Mania
BFX kicks off the play by targeting Bin. Bin and Xun die, but the rest of BLG respond. When the dust settles, BLG has three kills to BFX’s two. Neither team refuses to give up any ground. They fight tooth and nail, but overall, BLG has the lead. Of BLG’s 7k gold lead, 4.3k is in Viper’s pocket. BFX chooses to avoid fights, but that gives BLG space to increase the gold lead through Towers.
A Clean Ending
BLG dots their i and crosses their t’s in the final game of the series. They do not allow BFX a chance to find an angle to recover. Eventually, they close out the game and the First Stand series.
Total Apex Ratings
Bilibili Gaming
- Bin – 8
- XUN – 8
- Knight – 7
- Viper – 9
- ON – 8
FearX
- Clear – 4
- Raptor – 4
- VicLa – 4
- Diable – 4
- Kellin 5
Player of the game – Viper
First Stand 2026: Player Summary
Bilibili Gaming
Bin – 6.4
Bin had a dominant start to the series in game one. He tailed off midway through but brought it back in the final two games.
Xun – 7.0
Much like Bin, Xun tailed off after game one. He was pivotal to their recovery in the final games. His ganks and early game pressure were paramount to their success.
Knight – 7.2
Knight was the player of the series. He was BLG’s best player while they slumped. He took control of the mid-lane and never let go.
Viper – 6.6
We did not feel Viper’s impact until game three. However, he often died in that game, resulting in a loss. He was better in the final two games, but still not the Viper we are accustomed to.
ON – 7
When ON’s playmaking was shining, BLG dominated the series. He was instrumental in the wins to combine with XUN.
FearX
Clear – 5
Clear had a rough start to the series. He recovered to be a pivotal part in BFX’s series lead.
Raptor – 4.8
Raptor had a shaky series. Even in BFX’s wins, he was not the same jungler that we saw during the LCK Cup playoffs.
VicLa – 4.6
After a better showing in the LCK Cup, VicLa returned to his old form. He gave over the First Blood kill in four out of the five games.
Diable – 6.0
Diable is still an exciting AD carry to watch. He will always click forward in fights. He picked up a pentakill in his first international series.
Kellin – 5.6
Kellin had a decent series. He had an impossible task in the final game, needing to play Rakan into Morgana and Poppy.
More First Stand Content
The articles below will provide more information on the First Stand event and the team’s participation. You can expect further preview and review coverage of all the matches taking place in the coming week.
