The third round of the LPL's third split group stage is nearly at the end of its third week. Both the Summit and Nirvana groups have played more than half of their matches. On the previous match day, AL achieved a clean sweep over LGD for their sixth victory, and WBG also earned their first split win against LNG. After changing their jungler, Weibo's strength has risen sharply. While their mid-game remains messy and they often give away leads, the progress from the first two games is clear.

Xiaohao was the worst-performing jungler in the Summit group, but after moving to the Nirvana group, he can still dominate easily. In the first game with Jarvan, he had perfect early-game tempo and flawless teamfights in the mid-to-late game. In the second game with Kindred, he also delivered a "smurfing" performance, earning MVP in both matches. Xiaohao successfully saved WBG and led the team to their first win. Just changing the jungler brought victory, which makes Jiejie look quite awkward.

On the same day, EDG also had a match. Against BLG, EDG suffered a clean sweep. Since the start of the third split, they are 0-8 without a single win. Jiejie, who has played three matches so far, keeps breaking league records. Starting from the match against TES, Jiejie has been consistently outplayed by the opposing jungler for MVP. Tian from TES got two MVPs, JunJia from JDG got two, and against BLG, Xun also took MVP in the first game against Jiejie.

In the six games EDG has played, Jiejie has been the opposing MVP in five of them. This is quite rare in LPL history, at least in recent seasons. Even when Tian was in a slump, he didn't get out-MVP'd every game. Jiejie's performance is truly astonishing. If this trend continues, EDG might lose all their group stage matches, and Jiejie's reputation will hit rock bottom.

Weibo is now really laughing. After changing junglers, they got their first win, essentially finding the "weak link." If they can keep improving and aim for a perfect second round, they still have a chance to enter the Knight's Path. If EDG happens to face WBG in the Knight's Path and Jiejie ends up sending Weibo to playoffs while dragging EDG down to Nirvana, that would be quite ironic. However, it all depends on whether Weibo can successfully make it to the Knight's Path.

EDG's loss to BLG was expected, since the two teams' strength is not on the same level. But the world champion jungler Jiejie's on-stage performance was truly shocking. In the first game, he picked Skarner and finally tried to be proactive, but ended up ruining the bottom lane. In the second game, he chose Vi and returned to basics, completely giving up on ganks and staying in the jungle. Apart from dragon fights, he barely initiated any plays.

All he did was farm, occasionally engage in teamfights half-heartedly, and then follow his teammates to die when they fell. It's hard to believe that a world champion jungler would play like this. EDG's next opponent is still strong. Although AL's strength is not as good as BLG's, they are more than capable of crushing EDG. Tarzan has been in great form this split. Barring surprises, Jiejie will likely be out-MVP'd by Tarzan in the next match.

Coming from Nirvana to Summit, originally thought to be a firefighter, Jiejie has instead poured oil on the fire, as if afraid EDG hasn't lost enough. Now among Summit junglers, Jiejie has become a "free MVP" — anyone who faces him and fails to get an MVP would be embarrassed. EDG's only hope for a first win probably lies against LGD. The two teams are 1-7 and 0-8 respectively. It remains to be seen if EDG can get their first win in the second round.

Conclusion:

After these few matches, Jiejie's legacy is truly taking a hit. He is now in a dilemma: either prove himself by beating strong teams, or lead the team to plummet into Nirvana. Between the two scenarios, the latter seems more likely. After all, if he really had the skill, he wouldn't have lost all three BO3s without winning a single game, and been out-MVP'd in five out of six games.

So, do you think Jiejie can lead the team to their first win?

Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!