What began as a turbulent, controversy-filled career has transformed into a story of redemption for Fnatic ONIC PH gold laner Duane “Kelra” Pillas.
Starting out with Execration as a wide-eyed 15-year-old, Kelra quickly showcased his potential, leading the squad to its first-ever grand finals appearance in MPL PH Season 7 and eventually to the 2021 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup title.
(C) MOONTON Games
The Season 7 top rookie seemed poised to take a massive leap in his sophomore season after transferring to Smart Omega. However, his career took a significant hit due to his rash behavior.
Ahead of Season 8, Kelra received a two-week suspension for making homophobic remarks directed at Blacklist International stars Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario and Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna, as well as sexist comments toward Thai pro player Ramella of IDONOTSLEEP Esports.
Despite the setback, Kelra returned to the lineup and helped stabilize Smart Omega’s rocky start, though the team ultimately fell short, finishing third after losses to eventual finalists ONIC PH and Blacklist International in the upper and lower bracket finals, respectively.
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Determined to redeem himself, Kelra returned in Season 9 with a fiery resolve, leading Smart Omega to the grand finals. Unfortunately, the team fell short once again, losing to RSG PH both in the MPL PH grand finals and the lower bracket finals of the 2022 MSC.
At that point, his heart was already in the right place, but his mind was still catching up.
Wiser and more resilient after enduring numerous challenges early in his young career, Kelra kept his head down and persevered through consecutive 5th-6th place finishes with Smart Omega. He then transferred to Fnatic ONIC PH, where he settled for another 5th-place finish in MPL PH Season 13.
“Sobrang halaga ng naging maturity ko. Kasi kumbaga dati, may mga tao akong naapakan. Ngayon kasi, nag-iisip na ako bago ko gawin ‘yung isang bagay,” said Kelra, who became a father at the age of 19—an experience that likely played a significant role in his personal growth.
“Kumbaga, iniisip ko na ‘yung mararamdaman ng mga tao kapag may ginawa ako.”
Last Sunday, years of relentless hard work and remarkable personal growth culminated in his crowning moment as he led Fnatic ONIC PH to the M6 World Championship, a testament to his evolution not just in the Land of Dawn, but in life itself.
Dubbed “The Gold Standard” for his exceptional play in the gold lane, Kelra had already proven himself to be a cut above the rest in recent years. Yet, it was his newfound maturity and composure that elevated his game to an entirely new level, propelling him to the pinnacle of the ML:BB scene he had long dreamed of.
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By securing his first-ever world championship, Kelra also etched his name in history, becoming the first player to win an MPL PH, MSC, and M-Series Finals MVP award.
However, while many were quick to hail him as one of the greatest of all time (GOAT), the more grounded and mature Kelra quickly shut down such conversations, insisting he still has much to prove before earning that distinction.
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“Hindi pa siguro,” Kelra humbly admitted, showcasing his growth. “Kasi ‘yung ibang tinatawag na GOAT, sobrang dami talagang championship tulad ni KarlTzy.
“Nakadalawang world title siya, kumbaga siguro maco-consider ko sarili ko na GOAT kapag two-time MPL champion, two-time MSC, at two-time M world champion na ako,” he added.
From rocky beginnings to becoming one of the best—if not the best—players in the world, Kelra has proven that anyone, regardless of their past, can achieve greatness when given the opportunity to grow and change.
