AUSTIN, TEXAS – With the pressure on, Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski led FaZe Clan to a commanding 2-0 victory over The MongolZ in Round 4 of Stage 3 at the BLAST.tv Austin Major, locking in a spot in the playoffs. The win marks not only a turning point in FaZe’s tournament run, but also a deeply personal moment for EliGE, who now stands as the lone American player left in contention at a Major hosted on home soil.

“It feels incredible,” EliGE told Pley.gg after the win. “It’s been a really tough year, so ending the season at the Major with real chances of winning, especially here in the States, just feels amazing.”

American Hope, Lone Star Stage

With broky benched following a difficult 2025 season, FaZe turned heads just before the Major by recruiting Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev as a stand-in. The gamble is paying off. Now, with a playoff spot secured and the home crowd waiting at the Moody Center, all eyes are on EliGE and FaZe.

“The US crowds are always incredible. We haven’t had many tournaments here lately, just Dallas every year, so I know everyone’s going to be all in for this one,” he said. “We’re playing at a high level right now and I think we have a super good shot at winning this.”

EliGE likened the growing energy in Austin to that of ESL New York, one of the most beloved stops in the NA CS calendar.

“To me, New York was always the best event. The arena was cool, the fans were loud. This one feels just as big. I haven’t been in a Major playoff since Paris, and the vibe here is different. Everyone on the team feels like we can do this.”

Turning it around against The MongolZ

FaZe’s run has had its challenges, including a shock loss to Legacy in the opening phase, but the team has grown stronger with each stage. Against The MongolZ, they found themselves down 11-6 on Ancient before rallying back with a flawless T-side.

“We never lost hope,” EliGE said. “We talked at halftime, said ‘win the pistol, win the anti-eco, and we’re right back in it.’ The scoreboard looked rough, but most of their rounds came from pistols and early conversions. We had confidence in our T side and stuck together.”

The MongolZ, known for their mechanical skill and relentless pace, pushed FaZe to adapt quickly.

“They’re a strong team, everyone shoots hard, and you can’t afford solo mistakes,” EliGE explained. “We had scrimmed them before and had a similar pattern – weak CT half, strong T-side comeback. We just trusted ourselves.”

He also credited Finn “karrigan” Andersen for calling a sharp game and keeping the team composed in high-pressure moments.

Making s1mple work

Despite limited time together, FaZe has made rapid progress with s1mple in the lineup. According to EliGE, the key has been treating each stage as a reset and continuing to build chemistry.

“We’ve only had him for about ten days before Dallas. Even swapping one player brings a lot of changes, especially with an AWPer like Sasha who sees the game his own way. We’re adjusting and finding ways to get the best out of everyone.”

While some teams start in the Legends Stage, FaZe has taken a longer route through the tournament, beginning from Stage 2. EliGE sees that as a blessing.

“Getting warmed up definitely helps,” he said. “If you’re winning, the extra games build synergy. And with someone like s1mple coming in, that match time is super valuable. We’re learning each other’s tendencies, building setups, bouncing ideas mid-match. It’s been working out really well.”

Expectations for Playoffs

FaZe’s recent form, combined with the experience of their roster and the presence of a motivated s1mple, has put them firmly in the title conversation. Still, EliGE remains focused on taking it step by step.

“Every stage we go into, we treat it like a new tournament. We don’t look back. It’s all about what we can do right now, and we’re leveling up game by game.”

A Message to the Fans

As the playoff matches move to the main stage, EliGE had one final message for the North American faithful.

“Make sure you’re tuning in and showing up at the stage. We’re going to give you the best game we possibly can. Thank you all for the support. FaZe up.”

You can see the full interview with EliGE in the video down below.

Stay tuned to Pley.gg for full coverage of the BLAST.tv Austin Major playoffs.