jL will return to the main stage as a substitute this month, playing for Team Vitality. The PGL Copenhagen Major MVP will step in for mezii, who is taking paternity leave, at BLAST Open Porto 2026, and later replace apEX at the PGL Bucharest Masters. Since leaving NAVI in 2025, jL has maintained his competitive form through temporary stints with MOUZ. Now joining Vitality, he is achieving a specific goal in his career.
Fight alongside ZywOo and achieve career goals
Team Vitality had reached out to jL even before the EWC. The Lithuanian player stated that accepting the offer was an easy decision, as he was eager to return to the top-tier competition.
jL: "I don't have better options. I want to play in top-tier tournaments, and I've always had a dream—to be teammates with three players: s1mple, ZywOo, and ropz. I've already played with one of them, and next are ZywOo and ropz."
Confidently stating: 2025-2026 is my peak period
Even though it's been a while since he was part of the official starting lineup, jL remains full of confidence in his current personal form. When asked how he was feeling, he gave a direct assessment.
jL: "I would say my peak period is from 2025 to 2026, my best form. It might be a bit bold to say I'm stronger now than in 2024, but I wouldn't say I'm weaker than before—only official matches can prove that. But right now, I feel I'm in a very comfortable position, playing my role within a team I trust."
He acknowledges that his reaction to the new version might need some fine-tuning, but he believes that regular training and formal competitions can resolve these timing issues.
Adapting to different lineup structures
After EWC, the main roster requires rest, leaving the team with very limited preparation time before BLAST Open Porto 2026. They only completed five practice maps, and the intensity of pre-tournament training will gradually increase. jL maintains a pragmatic attitude regarding his role in the team.
jL: "I'm not the kind of player who can change the course of the game," he said. "I'm not ZywOo, not NiKo, not donk either. But I can bring good vibes and be a reliable player in clutch situations. If we can combine mezii's strengths with mine, we'll play really well."
This substitute experience required jL to adapt to two different lineup configurations—directly replacing mezii's position at BLAST Open Porto, while stepping in for the in-game leader apEX at PGL Bucharest meant different tactical demands. At that time, mezii would take over the in-game leader role, requiring the team to reallocate the map control responsibilities he originally handled.
Given that former team NAVI is currently exploring roster options, there has been speculation about jL's potential return. The Major Champion has given a clear answer:
jL: "No, I never thought about coming back once I left."