CTBC Flying Oyster has officially kicked off its rebuild for the 2026 season with a major signing. The organisation has confirmed that Zhao “Shad0w” Zhiqiang will join the team as its new jungler, bringing elite international experience from both Europe and China to the LCP.

Welcome Shad0w

We are pleased to announce CFO’s new Jungler Shad0w. After competing in LEC and LPL he ready to apply his many skillsets to the LCP. With his vast knowledge and flexible playstyle, we hope to show you what we can achieve pic.twitter.com/Hh7OdA3uUU

— CTBC Flying Oyster(CFO) (@CTBC_cfo) December 16, 2025

After a historic year on the global stage, the move signals CFO’s intent to remain competitive while reshaping its roster following a wave of departures.

Shad0w Brings Rare International Pedigree

Shad0w arrives at CTBC Flying Oyster as one of the few players in League of Legends history to have won championships in two major regions. The Italian jungler began his professional career in Europe with MAD Lions, now known as KOI, before making the move to China, where he spent five years competing in the LPL.

During his time in China, Shad0w represented multiple teams and built a strong reputation for intelligent jungle pathing, strong early game control, and the ability to adapt against top tier opposition. His experience across different playstyles and metas has made him a respected figure among international fans and analysts alike.

In 2025, Shad0w reached a career defining milestone with Bilibili Gaming. As part of a six man roster, he won LPL 2025 Split 3, becoming the first European player to ever claim an LPL title.

CTBC Flying Oyster welcomed Shad0w by highlighting his vast knowledge and flexible playstyle, expressing confidence that he can help the team take its next step in the LCP.

CFO’s Historic 2025 Campaign

The signing comes after a landmark year for CTBC Flying Oyster. In 2025, the team recorded a historic run by nearly every metric, becoming the only organisation to compete in every League of Legends international tournament throughout the year.

That consistency translated into standout performances at Worlds 2025. CFO secured Swiss stage victories over T1, Fnatic, and FlyQuest, firmly establishing itself as a team no opponent could afford to underestimate.

Most notably, CTBC Flying Oyster qualified for the Worlds 2025 Playoffs, becoming the first team from the Pacific region in over a decade to reach the knockout stage. The achievement marked a defining moment for both the organisation and the LCP, bringing unprecedented international attention to the region.

Roster Changes After Worlds 2025

While the success of 2025 elevated CFO’s profile, it also triggered significant roster changes. Strong performances at Worlds drew interest from overseas organisations, and the lineup began to break apart in the months that followed.

Mid laner Tsai “HongQ” Ming Hong and jungler Yu “JunJia” Chun Chia both departed for JD Gaming. Top laner Shen “Driver” Tsung Hua also moved on after serving as CFO’s primary top laner throughout the 2025 season. Support Ling “Kaiwing” Kai Wing left as well, bringing an end to one of the most impactful rosters in the organisation’s history.

In total, four members of CTBC Flying Oyster’s 2025 roster exited following Worlds, each seeking new challenges and higher competitive peaks in other regions.

Eyes on the 2026 LCP Season

Reproducing the results of 2025 will be a daunting task, but the signing of Shad0w underlines CFO’s ambition to stay among the world’s elite. By investing in proven international experience, the organisation is clearly aiming to balance rebuilding with continued global competitiveness.

As preparations for the 2026 LCP season continue, all eyes will be on how Shad0w integrates into the lineup and whether CTBC Flying Oyster can once again defy expectations on the international stage.

The post CTBC Flying Oyster Locks In Shad0w for 2026 LCP Push appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Bilibili Gaming (BLG) have claimed the 2025 LPL Summer Championship, defeating rivals Top Esports (TES) in a nail-biting five-game showdown in Shenzhen on September 21. The win locks BLG in as the LPL’s top seed for Worlds 2025, completing a remarkable comeback split for the organisation.

🏆 pic.twitter.com/mzkVhac4he

— Bin (@BLGBinGe) September 21, 2025

A clash worthy of the finals

With both sides already carrying high stakes, the series opened with TES striking first. They capitalised on Elk’s early mistakes, building momentum around the Ocean Soul to take game one. BLG, however, responded by subbing in Zhao “Shad0w” Zhi-Qiang in the jungle. The move instantly paid off. Supported by Bin’s incredible 1v2 play in the top lane, BLG stormed back to level the series with a dominant 27-minute win.

Give BIN the MVP already 😎 pic.twitter.com/oiQptq5ups

— LPL English (@LPL_english) September 21, 2025

Game three saw TES lean on their strong top-side draft of Renekton and Zed. They combined this with Cassiopeia and Corki to secure match point after a Baron-powered push down mid. Facing elimination, BLG went all-in on an aggressive Caitlyn-Elise bot lane in game four. Their gamble paid off, dismantling TES with a brutal 32–7 scoreline against JackeyLove’s Draven, forcing the series to Silver Scrapes.

In the decider, BLG pulled ahead during a chaotic eight-man skirmish in mid. Despite TES fighting tooth and nail to stay even, Knight’s Akali flank tore through TES’ carries. With superior teamfighting and a 5k gold lead, BLG closed it out to claim their first championship of the year.

BLG’s comeback story

This title marks a dramatic turnaround for BLG, who had struggled at both the Mid-Season Invitational and the Esports World Cup earlier in the year. The arrival of Shad0w has been key, with BLG frequently rotating between him and Beichuan depending on the draft. That flexibility has turned the team from shaky to championship-ready in just one split.

While doubts remain over the LPL’s strength compared to other regions heading into Worlds, BLG’s resurgence suggests they could repeat their deep run from 2024.

Worlds seeding locked in

With BLG securing the LPL’s #1 seed, Anyone’s Legend (AL) are locked in as the second seed thanks to their accumulated championship points. AL have had a tougher split, but their direct path into the Worlds Swiss Stage is a much-needed relief.

For TES, the road gets harder. They now head into the LPL Regional Finals alongside Invictus Gaming, JD Gaming, and Weibo Gaming. Only the winner is guaranteed a spot at Worlds, while the runner-up must battle reigning world champions T1 in the play-in stage, a nightmare scenario for any team desperate to qualify.

The post BLG Crowned LPL Champions After Five-Game Thriller Against TES appeared first on Shane the Gamer.