Bilibili Gaming's 2-0 win over Top Esports on August 21 marked Bin's return to the starting lineup. BLG also secured first place in the LPL 2026 Split 3 regular season with the victory.
Why did BLG Bin leave the starting lineup?
Bin stepped away from Bilibili Gaming in July after admitting he had not been feeling like himself. On July 21, he said he had spoken with the team and decided to take a break from competition to rest and recover.
It came after a difficult run for BLG, with the team falling short at MSI before another disappointing result at the 2026 Esports World Cup. Bin's final appearance before his break was against Dplus KIA at the EWC.
His absence also prompted speculation about problems inside the BLG camp, although reports of internal issues remained unconfirmed. What was clear was that BLG needed another option in the top lane while Bin took his break.
BLG used Wenbo and Flandre while Bin was away
BLG initially turned to Yang “Wenbo” Wen-Bo in the top lane. The team later signed Li “Flandre” Xuan-Jun from Anyone's Legend after exploring several options, including Yoon “HOYA” Yong-ho.
The changes did not stop BLG from putting together a strong Split 3 run. The team opened the split with six consecutive series wins before losing to Top Esports and JD Gaming. Flandre played the final three series before Bin's return.
Wenbo was subsequently sidelined with a wrist injury, leaving Flandre as the other established option alongside Bin's eventual return. That made the top-lane position one of the most closely watched parts of BLG's roster heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
Bin's return therefore came earlier than some expected, with BLG still having important regular-season matches against LGD Gaming, Top Esports and Anyone's Legend before the playoffs.
BLG had already secured a Worlds 2026 spot
While Bin was away, BLG also secured one of the LPL's spots at Worlds 2026. The team had already locked in its place at the season's biggest international event before Bin returned to the starting lineup.
BLG's remaining Split 3 matches were therefore more about playoff positioning than Worlds qualification. With their Worlds spot already secured, the team could focus on finishing the regular season strongly and going into the playoffs in the best possible position.
BLG's win over Top Esports was therefore important for a different reason. The 2-0 result helped BLG secure first place in the regular season, giving Bin and the rest of the team a strong position heading into the playoffs.
BLG Bin returns as Bilibili Gaming beat TES 2-0
Bin returned to competitive action after more than a month away from BLG's starting lineup. He had stepped away in July to rest and reset, with Yang “Wenbo” Wen-Bo and Li “Flandre” Xuan-Jun filling the top-lane role during his absence.
Bin returned to the starting lineup against Top Esports, the same team that had previously swept BLG in Split 3. There was no repeat of that result this time, as BLG answered with a clean 2-0 win.
The return of Bin was also confirmed shortly before the series, after BLG had used other options in the top lane during his absence.
BLG Bin survives early pressure in game one
The opening game was not an effortless return for Bin. Playing Camille, he faced pressure from TES around the top side while both teams traded early objectives and skirmishes.
BLG eventually found the fight that changed the game. A large engagement around the top side turned into an effective ace for Bilibili Gaming, with Bin helping secure the kill on Olaf as BLG took control of the map.
From there, Viper became the primary damage threat. His Yunara repeatedly punished TES during fights, while Knight and the rest of BLG provided the crowd control and protection needed to keep the carry firing. BLG ultimately pushed through the bottom lane to take game one.
The highlights from the series show how BLG turned the game around and repeatedly punished TES whenever the team attempted to force fights.
Bin plays a more aggressive role in game two
Top Esports looked much more comfortable early in game two. TES built pressure across the map and established a lead while Bin's Ambessa was repeatedly targeted.
BLG's response was patient. Rather than forcing the game through the top lane, the team allowed Viper and Knight to carry the mid game while Bin continued looking for opportunities to threaten the TES backline.
That approach paid off when BLG punished TES for overextending around the top side. Three TES players were caught, allowing BLG to take Baron and erase much of the advantage TES had built.
BLG continued to find picks after that turnaround. Another team fight gave the defending side enough momentum to break into the TES base, and Bin remained a major part of BLG's ability to pressure the frontline and chase down targets.
TES eventually secured a late Dragon Soul, but the trade was not enough. BLG reached the Nexus first, completing the 2-0 sweep and locking up first place in the Group Ascend regular season.
| Match | Result | Key storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | BLG win | BLG take control through team fights and Viper's carry performance |
| Game 2 | BLG win | BLG recover from TES pressure and close after major mid-game fights |
| Series | BLG 2-0 TES | BLG secure first place in Split 3 regular season |
What Bin's return means for BLG
Bin's return gives Bilibili Gaming another high-pressure option ahead of the playoffs. His absence had forced BLG to work with different top-lane combinations, while his comeback restores one of the team's most established stars to the lineup.
BLG entered the TES rematch after a strong Split 3 run, and the team had already secured its place in the playoff bracket. The 2-0 victory now adds first-place positioning to that qualification.
It also leaves the top-lane situation worth watching. BLG previously used Wenbo and Flandre during Bin's absence, and reports before his return indicated that Flandre could remain part of a six-man setup rather than simply disappearing from the roster.
RiftDaily previously covered BLG's signing of Flandre as the organization reshaped its top lane. The move became particularly relevant once Bin stepped away and the team needed another experienced option.
For the wider LPL picture, the Split 3 regular season determines positioning for the playoffs and the road toward Worlds 2026. Riot's official LoL Esports competition pages provide the latest tournament and stage information.
Follow the latest RiftDaily esports news and LPL coverage for further updates.
Official tournament information is available through LoL Esports and the LPL Split 3 tournament stage.
Pictures from Riot Games.
Frequently asked questions about BLG Bin
Did BLG Bin play against Top Esports?
Yes. Bin started for Bilibili Gaming against Top Esports on August 21, 2026, in LPL Split 3.
Did Bilibili Gaming beat Top Esports?
Yes. BLG defeated TES 2-0 in the Group Ascend match.
Why was Bin absent from BLG?
Bin announced in July that he was taking a break from competition to rest and reset. BLG then used Wenbo and later Flandre in the top lane.
Did BLG Bin's return guarantee him the starting role for the rest of Split 3?
Not necessarily. BLG's earlier roster changes and the possibility of a six-man setup mean the top-lane rotation remains something to watch heading into the playoffs.
What did BLG achieve by beating TES?
The 2-0 victory secured first place in the Split 3 regular season for Bilibili Gaming.
Bin's comeback now leads into the playoffs
BLG Bin's return could hardly have produced a more important team result. Bilibili Gaming not only avenged its earlier Split 3 loss to Top Esports, but also finished the regular season in first place.
The next question is how BLG handles its top-lane rotation once the playoffs begin. With first place secured and Worlds qualification already part of the season's wider objective, the focus now shifts from simply getting Bin back on stage to finding the strongest version of the lineup for the postseason.
For more coverage, visit RiftDaily Esports and continue following the LPL as the playoffs approach.
