KT Rolster avoid relegation with clean win over Jin Air

TL;DR

  • KT Rolster becomes first LCK champion to face relegation the following split
  • Team secured LCK spot with clean 3-0 victory in promotion tournament
  • Jungler UmTi’s aggressive playstyle set the tempo across all three games
  • Solo laners Bdd and Smeb delivered standout performances when it mattered most
  • Jin Air faces elimination match against VSG/ES Sharks winner for final LCK spot

KT Rolster achieved a crucial organizational milestone by securing their LCK Summer Split position through a decisive victory against Jin Air Green Wings during the LCK promotion tournament’s second qualifying round.

This marks an unprecedented scenario in LCK history where a split champion faced relegation threats in the immediate following season. The team’s dramatic decline stemmed from offseason roster management issues, particularly their failure to acquire an experienced bot laner. Instead, they gambled on rookie ADC Jeon “Zenit” Tae-gwon, whose Spring Split performances revealed significant gaps compared to established LCK marksmen.

KT’s overreliance on solo lane dominance became their primary strategic weakness. This one-dimensional approach proved insufficient against well-balanced rosters like SK Telecom T1, Griffin, and Kingzone DragonX, who exploited KT’s predictable play patterns throughout the regular season.

During the promotion tournament’s initial phase, KT demonstrated their determination by eliminating VSG to advance to the critical qualification match against Jin Air Green Wings.

The series concluded with three consecutive victories favoring KT, each game showcasing different aspects of their revitalized gameplay. Teams facing relegation often struggle with pressure, but KT displayed remarkable composure throughout the tournament bracket.

In the opening match, KT executed a fundamentally sound and disciplined team composition. Jungler Eom “UmTi” Seong-hyeon selected Jarvan IV and established early game control through calculated aggression, creating advantages for his laners through well-timed ganks and objective control.

KT maintained dominance over neutral objectives across Summoner’s Rift. At the Baron Nashor pit, they secured the powerful buff but faced immediate retaliation from Jin Air, who secured three kills in the skirmish. Despite this momentary resurgence, Jin Air’s efforts proved insufficient as KT systematically recovered and closed out the game at the 31-minute mark.

UmTi sustained his aggressive jungle presence in game two. His confidence proved infectious as mid laner Gwak “Bdd” Bo-seong mirrored this approach with a crucial solo elimination against lane opponent Lee “Grace” Chan-ju. KT overwhelmed Jin Air for a commanding 24-minute victory.

Jin Air displayed brief resistance in the third game. Substitute mid laner Choi “CheonGo” Hyeon-woo replaced Grace and demonstrated improved trading efficiency against Bdd. Top laner Heo “Lindarang” Man-heung on Aatrox represented Jin Air’s final hope, but ultimately failed to deliver the necessary impact.

Early game momentum initially favored Jin Air until KT systematically assumed control. Bdd and top laner Song “Smeb” Kyung-ho emerged as the standout performers for KT, displaying promising form heading into the upcoming summer season. KT concluded the final series game at 29 minutes, securing their passage to the next LCK split.

Jin Air’s LCK future remains uncertain, as they must now confront the victor of the elimination bracket match between VSG and ES Sharks for the final Summer Split qualification spot. Teams in Jin Air’s position typically struggle with morale, making their upcoming match a significant psychological challenge.

For KT Rolster, this victory represents more than mere survival—it signals potential for strategic evolution. Their demonstrated ability to adapt mid-series, particularly in game three where they overcame early deficits, suggests growth beyond their previously predictable playstyle. The Summer Split will test whether they can maintain this momentum against top-tier competition.

The organization must address their bot lane inconsistencies during the break, as sustained success requires balanced threat distribution across all positions.

Action Checklist

  • Analyze team composition diversity and strategic flexibility in high-pressure scenarios
  • Evaluate jungler impact on early game tempo and objective control
  • Assess rookie player development trajectories versus veteran performance metrics
  • Review tournament bracket progression and elimination match psychology factors

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