"I Have to Play My Own Game": jL’s Mindset for His Vitality Stand-In Run

The competitive Counter-Strike 2 scene is rarely static, but few announcements have sparked as much intrigue as Justinas "jL" Lekavičius stepping up to represent Team Vitality for two events.

The former Natus Vincere superstar and Major MVP has transitioned from his recent hiatus into the heart of one of esports’ most successful rosters. 

With Vitality adjusting to temporary openings due to upcoming paternity leaves for William "mezii" Merriman and Dan "apEX" Madesclaire, jL’s arrival as a heavyweight substitute provides stability and an exciting prospect for CS2 fans worldwide.

Special thanks to Team Vitality’s sponsor, Stake, for facilitating this exclusive interview with Strafe Esports. You can check out their full interview with jL HERE. 

An Unexpected Call: The Vitality Opportunity

Returning to tier-1 play was driven by a hunger for the game. After taking a break from NaVi, slotting into Team Vitality proved impossible to resist, especially with the chance to share the server with a star-studded lineup. Beyond the competitive prestige, the opportunity was a major driver.

"The main catalyst was for sure because I miss professional play. Probably the second one is I am excited to play with ZywOo, ropz, Flamez, Mezii, and Apex. I get to play with the whole squad with all five players."

Away from team duties, jL maintained his individual skills through a structured routine.

"I'm in shape. I've been playing a lot of FACEIT, a lot of deathmatch, a lot of aim bots... I will stay in shape until I either decide to join a team or completely retire if things don't go well."

The signing unfolded rapidly when Vitality's esports director reached out to inquire about his unsigned status, leading to a fast agreement.

Playmaking Over Shot-Calling

With apEX temporarily stepping aside for paternity leave, questions arose about Vitality’s leadership. apEX’s absence leaves a tactical void, but jL was quick to rule himself out of shot-calling.

"No, no shot calling. Before I joined, I said there's one rule: I'm not going to be the IGL of the team. And they said, 'Okay.'"

Instead, mezii—who has prior in-game leading experience—will take the reins. jL expects this shift to usher in a more freestyle, playmaking-oriented style with star players like Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut and Shahar "flameZ" Shushan.

"I expect it to be a little bit more freestyle because you have players like ZywOo, flameZ… you'll have me as well who love to make plays. And it's a lot easier for a player who was not in-game leader... to just give freedom..."

Lessons from MOUZ

This is not jL’s first high-profile stand-in experience. He previously donned the MOUZ jersey, securing third-place finishes at PGL Astana and the CS Asia Championships. From those events, he learned the psychological trap of trying too hard to mimic the player he replaced.

"Focusing more on myself. Because when I replaced a player in MOUZ whether it be Jimpphat or Brollan, I tried to fill in too much of the role... and I realized I have to play my own game..."

Now, jL is approaching Vitality with a different mindset. He will take over mezii’s physical responsibilities but will bring his own signature playstyle and flair.

Life Beyond the Server: The Value of a Break

Stepping away from NaVi provided jL with a rare commodity in professional esports: free time. It allowed him to ground himself, spend time with his wife, and experience everyday life.

"I for sure had a lot more free time on my hands. I tried drifting; I did some gym. I spent a lot of time with my wife. I learned how to cook, how to meal prep. There's a lot of life things where I have not done just to save time..."

The hiatus was a reality check on the sacrifices required to stay at the peak. Pro players often spend their prime youth dedicated to practice, missing out on normal life.

"I feel like I spent a lot of my time as a pro sacrificing my real life, my friends, my family just so I can be a pro... when I was a pro, I really didn't consume any alcohol. I didn't do anything detrimental to my health."

Slotting into the Swarm

As Vitality seeks to regain its footing after a challenging stretch, jL’s arrival was expected to offer immediate stability. Instead of worrying about strict roles, he viewed Vitality’s fluidity as the perfect environment for natural integration.

"I've watched Vitality play, and I feel like I will be a good fit because you try to play as a team... I don't think the role really matters in Vitality as much as the team game."

However, the road to true cohesion has already hit its first unexpected speed bump. In their opening match at BLAST Open Porto, with jL officially slotting in to replace mezii, Vitality suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat at the hands of Inner Circle. 

This clash marked the first time the two organizations had ever gone head-to-head on the server, serving as a stark reminder that even with two Major MVPs in the lineup, instant chemistry is never guaranteed on the big stage.

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Featured Image Credit: Sophie Barrowclough/BLAST

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