MSI 2026 Team Review: Bilibili Gaming Miss Out on Building the Legendary Golden Road
Bilibili Gaming was the only team that could complete the Golden Road this year. However, they fell one game short of victory at the 2026 MSI. BLG looked unbeatable after their Upper Bracket Final win over Hanwha Life Esports. With them winning First Stand earlier this year, many expected them to convert again. However, they failed to deliver in the final game and saw the MSI trophy fall from their grasp.
Bilibili Gaming MSI Results
BLG played four series at MSI. They won the first three and lost the final one.
- Won 3-2 against T1
- Won 3-0 against LYON
- Won 3-1 against Hanwha Life Esports
- Lost 3-2 to Hanwha Life Esports
Bilibili Gaming Player Review
Bin
- Total Apex Rating – 6.0 (4th among top laners, tied 23rd among players)
- Champions Played
- Renekton (4)
- Gnar (2)
- Jax (2)
- Jayce (2)
- K’Sante (2)
- Rumble (2)
- Aatrox
- Ambessa
- Gwen
Bin had an exceptionally quiet MSI performance. Despite being touted as one of the best top laners at the competition, he never reached that mark. Between getting caught on the side lane and dying to obvious ganks, Bin gave resources to the enemy team. He had some good performances, like his Ambessa in the second game of the Upper Bracket Final.
XUN
- Total Apex Rating – 6.9 (tied 1st among junglers, tied 4th among players)
- Champions Played
- Jarvan IV (3)
- Naafiri (3)
- Skarner (2)
- Vi (2)
- Lee Sin
- Nocturne
- Pantheon
- Poppy
- Qiyana
XUN was one of the driving forces behind BLG’s MSI success, along with ON. While Knight got most of the kills and the acclaim, XUN helped him get there. One of the main reasons BLG dominated the Upper Bracket Final was XUN. He put Kanavi off his game with early pathing. That continued in the Grand Final, and it nearly earned BLG the title. He was also gifted the easiest Kindred game of his life in the fifth game against T1, and he delivered.
Knight
- Total Apex Rating – 7.5 (1st among mid laners, 1st among players)
- Champions Played
- Ryze (3)
- Aurora (2)
- Orianna (2)
- Viktor
- Ahri
- Akali
- Annie
- Cassiopeia
- Mel
- Swain
- Syndra
- Taliyah
Knight is on a generational run this year thanks to his Jungle and Support. XUN and ON give most of their attention to Knight in the early and mid game. The attention pays off as Knight will almost always deliver a dominant performance. It was his Orianna that shut down HLE in the fourth game of the Upper Bracket Final. He dominated as Swain against T1 in their opening series. Knight nearly saved the day in the Grand Final, killing Gumayusi and Delight on the siege. However, he did not have the damage to kill the rest of HLE in time.
Viper
- Total Apex Rating – 6.8 (2nd among bot laners, tied 8th among players)
- Champions Played
- Ezreal (4)
- Ashe (2)
- Mel (2)
- Caitlyn
- Cassiopeia
- Lucian
- Miss Fortune
- Taliyah
- Varus
- Vel’Koz
- Xayah
- Ziggs
Viper was the quiet carry for BLG throughout MSI. With him getting fewer resources, he could not impact the games as much as Knight. Even so, Viper still delivered top-quality performances. The Vel’Koz pick against T1 completely neutered Peyz’s Senna. It kept Peyz from farming successfully and held control in the mid-game. Even in the final, where HLE focused their attention on getting Gumayusi ahead, Viper remained relevant.
ON
- Total Apex Rating – 6.5 (3rd among supports, tied 13th among players)
- Champions Played
- Bard (3)
- Shen (3)
- Alistar (2)
- Neeko (2)
- Seraphine (2)
- Camille
- Elise
- Leona
- Rakan
- Skarner
ON was an engine for BLG’s early-game success at MSI. If he was given champions that could roam early, he impacted the map. He got the better of Delight on numerous occasions, either being first to play or having a better impact on plays that should have been even. The Skarner performance during the Grand Final was his worst of the tournament. However, the draft did not make it easy for him. Having to play against Trundle meant he could never get consistent value. His most notable early game impact was in the first game of the Upper Bracket Final on Shen. He was everywhere, and his Taunt Flashes clinched fights for BLG.
Bilibili Gaming Team Review
Had BLG won the final game of the Grand Final, their review would look different. A team at the top of the mountain, on course for the Golden Road. However, the loss ended the road’s construction, and they have fallen from the peak. The EWC matches compounded their problems, with rumours of BLG wanting to replace Bin. With the top laner having two weak international performances consecutively and potential disciplinary issues, BLG could look different for the next international tournament.
More MSI Content
Below is some of the previous MSI content on Total Apex, for the team reviews.
