jL believes that Vitality's ability to perform even with a stand-in highlights exactly why they are the best team in the world.
Vitality once again advanced to the tournament playoffs with jL as a stand-in, defeating Navi to complete their run to the PGL Masters Bucharest playoffs. The match carried a bit of extra spice, as it was also jL's chance to face his former Navi teammates.
“To be honest, I thought it would be a little bit harder,” jL said about facing his former team. “I went into the game with the mindset that I'm going to enjoy the game, I'm going to do my best, I'm going to help my teammates as much as possible, and then see where it takes us.”
This mindset helped jL and Vitality secure the victory, but the Lithuanian rifler credited his teammates, praising their ability to perform without a full-time IGL. "mezii's calling is not as good as apEX's, but that's normal, mezii is not an in-game leader... Vitality has the ability to cover for players. They have the ability to communicate more, organize things, and that's what we're doing really well right now."
After securing a playoff spot, jL sat down with HLTV for an interview to discuss how this stand-in experience compares to BLAST Open Porto, his mindset as a stand-in, and his future after the Singapore Major.
Q: First of all, congratulations. How does it feel? Did you have mixed feelings playing against your former teammates?
A:To be honest, I thought it would be a little bit harder. I felt I held up pretty well out there. There's no personal grudge, so I don't know why I expected it to be much harder or tougher on myself. My mindset going into the game was that I'm going to enjoy the game, I'm going to do my best, I'm going to help my teammates as much as I can, and then see where it takes us.
Q: Is it a bit more fun to beat your friends?
A: Yes. Yes.
Q: Is it just for bragging rights?
A: Not bragging... I wouldn't say that's something to brag about, but honestly, even if they beat us, they can't walk up to me and say, 'Oh, we beat you.' I'm a substitute, you know what I mean? Of course it wasn't the full roster either, losing to a lineup as substitutes, that would be a little bit worse. But it's also hard to play against substitutes, like some of the stuff we do, we mix things up before every game. That's normal, but I think we mix it up more when we're with substitutes, so.
Q: Overall, how do you feel in this version of Vitality compared to the previous one? Are you more comfortable? Because I know the roles have been mixed up compared to last time.
A: This version of Vitality needs more communication. It's obvious, because without apEX, mezii's setups are not as good as apEX's, but that's normal, mezii is not an in-game leader. We have to help him, that's why we're here. That's why Vitality is one of the best teams in the world... is the best team in the world, because they have the ability to cover for players. They have the ability to communicate more, organize things, and that's what we're doing really well right now.
Q: Which version do you think is better?
A: Oh. I think we can only wait and see. I have a feeling... ah, I don't want to sound too harsh — toward anyone.
No, forget it. No, no, I don't... no, no. It's hard. I feel much more comfortable in this lineup. So maybe I would lean towards this lineup, but that doesn't answer the question of which version of Vitality is stronger. Because this isn't my first time playing with these guys, I feel more confident and more comfortable. I know what to do now, much more than before. So maybe this lineup is better, just because we have more experience together.
Q: I heard you say on the broadcast that you're not necessarily trying to show off, you just want to do your best for Vitality, right?
A: Yes.
Q: But do you hope that the deep run as a substitute will put you in the shop window, maybe making others a bit more interested in you?
A: I think even if you make it to the final with this lineup, people won't give me praise or... you know what I mean? It's Vitality, you know? They could just pull up an academy player and still make the final. I think it would be arrogant of me to come here with the mindset of 'I have to play well so other teams will notice me.'
My agreement with Vitality is that I help out... I'm trying to help them achieve the best possible results as a stand-in, because apEX and mezii have to take care of their families, which I find very respectable. So yes, I'm not looking for that. Of course, playing well is good, having good aim is good, but that's not the goal.
Q: Do you know about the plans after the Major, looking ahead to next season? Do you have any ideas yet?
A: Ideally I would find a team to compete for trophies again, but if that doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world. Honestly, if I can't find a team after Singapore, I might just retire. Then I'll focus on content, focus on my wife, focus on my child, because the baby is about to be born.
Q: Congratulations.
A: Thank you. And yes, I'd rather do other things than stay in a scenario I don't want to be in.
Q: Do it your own way.
A: Yes. Of course, in my own way. The ideal situation is that I join a good team. We play matches, we train together and learn together. Because that's... I love the process. I don't necessarily only love the trophy. I love the process leading to the trophy, working with each other, playing around each other, supporting each other, kind of like creating a second family. If I can't see that happening, I won't sign a contract just to play.