For Duanne “Kelra” Pillas, Friday’s victory against TNC Pro Team in the opening match of MPL Philippines Season 15 wasn’t just about securing a 2-0 win — it was personal.
After years of coming up short, Kelra finally claimed a victory over Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera, a win that had eluded him since MPL PH Season 1-.
Back then Kelra was still playing for Smart Omega and Yawi was representing ECHO (now Team Liquid Philippines). That match ended with a 2-1 victory for OMG.
And he celebrated overcoming one of the league’s toughest competitors.
“Sobrang saya kasi nanalo na ako sa kanya. Kasi last na nanalo ako sa kanya Season 10 pa eh. ‘Di ako nakaka-score lagi sa kanya,” Kelra said in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.
Yawi is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. Kelra expressed his belief that Yawi would be crucial to TNC’s efforts to secure their first win since last season and break their streak of five consecutive 8th-place finishes.
On Friday, Yawi proved to be the main threat in Game 2, where he played as Mathilda, providing much-needed sustain for TNC in every skirmish.
“Sa tingin namin, si Yawi talaga yung magle-lead sa TNC para hindi na mag-8th place finish. Kasi unang game pa lang namin, ramdam na namin na malakas talaga sila,” he said.
Despite TNC pushing the reigning World and MPL PH champions to the limit in their first matchup of MPL PH Season 15, Kelra and his teammates recognized that their playstyle had long been analyzed by other teams.
However, it was ONIC Philippines’ unwavering discipline both in and out of the game — combined with their constant adaptability — that set them apart from other teams.
“Para sa amin naman, basa na talaga kami matagal na. Noong finals pa lang [last season], inabot ng Game 7 eh. Pero everyday, every minute, nag-iiba yung game. Kumbaga sa adjustment lang nagkakatalo pati na rin sa draft,” he concluded.
