By: Jan Marcus Montevirgen
Duanne “Kelra” Pillas has witnessed the highs and lows of his three-year career as a professional Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) player.
Starting with his former team Execration (now Smart Omega), the 19-year-old gold laner faced a tough debut season, suffering a heartbreaking loss in the grand finals against Blacklist International in a 4-3 thriller.
However, Kelra and his team redeemed themselves on the international stage, defeating Blacklist in the MSC 2021 finals in June 2021, marking his first championship title.
Despite that international success, Kelra’s dream of an MPL Philippines championship remained elusive for six consecutive seasons.
He finished third in his sophomore run and experienced a string of 5th-6th place finishes in the following seasons.
This season, however, Kelra and Fnatic ONIC Philippines (FNOP) were determined to change their fate. Not only did they make history by becoming the first team to record a 13-0 regular season, but they also clinched the MPL championship.
Speaking to the press during the post-match interview, Kelra opened up about his emotions after Game 5, where they came close to victory but faltered.
He revealed that he had doubts about whether the MPL championship was truly meant for him.
“’Yung tumatakbo sa isip ko no’n kasi akala ko hindi talaga para sa’kin yung championship,” Kelra shared.
“Kumbaga ‘di ba dapat tapos na namin nung Game 5 palang, bugbog na ‘yung Aurora, tapos na-comeback kami tapos naka-comeback ulit kami nung pangalawang game. Kumbaga, tumatakbo sa isip ko talaga no’n may curse ba? May curse ba ‘yung MPL sa’kin?”
FNOP, however, turned the tides during Game 7, stopping RORA’s potential game-ending push at the 20:35 mark, securing the championship.
“Tas pagkapanalo, naiyak talaga ako eh. Kasi parang ‘di pala ‘yung totoo na curse na ganon. Tsaka akala ko mangyayari ulit ‘yung Blacklist na laban namin nung Season 7, 3-1, tapos na-comeback kami. Sobrang dami kasing pinagdaanan eh. Kaya sobrang naiyak talaga ako,” he said, recalling the emotional moment.
Kelra praised his teammates for their resilience, especially during those intense moments when the pressure was at its peak.
“Siguro masasabi ko yung [iba yung] mentality nila sa game. Kumbaga kahit nung dalawang beses na kaming sunod na talo, nung nag-Game 7 na, parang talagang in-enjoy nalang talaga namin yung game,” Kelra said.
“Eto nga eh, [si K1NGKONG], habang draft, kumakanta pa eh. Kumakanta siya ng birds of a feather du’n sa stage. Pero ‘yun siguro yung pagkakaiba, ‘yung mentality nila at saka ‘yung puso sa game,” he added.
“’Yung feeling ko talaga na lahat kami iisa lang eh. Kumbaga, ano ‘yung nakikita ng isa, kumbaga, may iisang daan lang lahat,” he continued.
Along with the championship title, Kelra was also named the Grand Finals MVP.
Next up for the “Gold Standard” is the upcoming M6 World Championship, where he has the chance to make history as the first Filipino player to win the MPL, MSC, and M-Series titles.
